AMD technology powers Sulon Q VR headset

Chipmaker AMD has partnered with Toronto-based firm Sulon Technologies to create the Sulon Q virtual reality headset. Announced at an AMD press event, the Sulon Q differs from the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in that it does not require a high-end PC to operate. Instead, the Sulon Q's PC hardware is built into the unit itself.

Sulon says the Q headset has a "Wear and Play" design. There's no wires since the unit is self-contained and no controller, as Sulon's proprietary spatial processing unit recognizes gestures. The spatial processing unit and mounted 3D cameras also mean that the Sulon Q does not need any external cameras or a setup like the Vive's Lighthouse tracking system. In addition to virtual reality, the headset can handle augmented reality, via a pass-through system enabled by the 3D cameras.

The Sulon Q is powered by Windows and AMD's Liquid VR. The full system specifications are as follows:

• AMD FX-8800P processor with Radeon R7 graphics
• Sulon spatial processing unit (SPU)
• 8GB memory
• 256GB SSD storage
• 2,560x1,440-pixel resolution OLED display
• 3D spatial audio powered by GenAudio's AstoundSound
• Built-in 3.5mm audio jack and Sulon Q earbuds
• Dual noise-cancelling embedded microphones
• Sensor package: accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer
• Wireless keyboard and mouse (works with any other Windows 10-compatible controllers and joysticks)
• Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0
• Two USB 3.0 ports
• 110 degree field of view

The Sulon Q is planned for a late spring launch, but Sulon has not offered a price point for the headset.