At the end of Oculus Connect 6, Facebook also unveiled prototype designs for virtual reality headsets, dubbed Half Dome 2 and Half Dome 3. One design further reduces the size of the headset and features a mechanically actuated lens zoom module, while the other utilizes an electronic zoom design, allowing users to experience clearer images during virtual reality experiences.
According to Facebook, in the past, in virtual reality image experiences, the resolution used by the display panel would determine the clarity of what the eye sees, but in actual operation, the virtual visual image may become blurred due to changes in the eye's focal length.
Therefore, in the design of Half Dome 2 and Half Dome 3, in addition to further lightweighting and miniaturizing the body, they also adopt mechanical actuation and a lens module with electronic zoom design. This allows users to readjust the focus more quickly as their eyes move during the virtual reality experience, and even change the focus position to match the virtual reality content.
Although the released images show that the thickness design of the electronic zoom module does not seem to be different from that of the mechanically actuated zoom module, in theory, in actual application it should be possible to further streamline it with the electronicization, thereby making the head-mounted device even lighter and thinner.
Due to the smaller body, the two prototype designs use the same 140° viewing angle compared to the first Half Dome, which is indeed slightly narrower. However, the viewing angle is still about 20% larger than the commercial version of Oculus Quest, and the weight is reduced by 200 grams compared to the first Half Dome.
The fixed headband design of Half Dome 3 further eliminates the top of the head. Obviously, even without the support of the top of the head, the headset will not have the problem of drooping.
As for when Facebook expects to apply the new prototype design to future products, it is currently impossible to confirm.
