PlayStation VR patent hints at potential next-gen headset plans

A newly published patent may hint at Sony Interactive Entertainment’s plans for a next-gen PlayStation VR headset.

While the company has said “the current PS VR headset is compatible” with PlayStation 5, the patent in question suggests it’s exploring plans to launch a successor to the device, which released in October 2016.

Filed in February 2019 and published in early October, the patent (via LetsGoDigital) describes a VR headset which includes two front cameras and one rear camera.

Like the current PS VR headset, it also has LEDs installed around the device which can be tracked by an external camera like the PlayStation Camera. Upgraded Sony Move controllers could feature a built-in camera too.

The patent also raises the possibility of a wireless PS VR headset featuring its own audio and video signal sources and an internal power supply.

PlayStation VR sales topped 4.2 million units worldwide as of March 3, 2019, according to Sony.

Marvel’s Iron Man VR recently received a PS VR release date of February 28, 2020.

And on Tuesday, Sony announced that its next-gen console is officially called PlayStation 5 and is due to launch in late 2020.

It also revealed PlayStation 5 controller details, confirmed the console’s ray-tracing technology will be hardware-accelerated, and said PS5 will feature a “completely revamped” user interface and allow configurable game installs.

Another recently published Sony patent describes an AI voice assistant called PlayStation Assist, a system designed to stop users becoming frustrated and quitting games when they get stuck.