Japanese commercial camera and optical-tech developer, Canon, just unveiled its plans to release a new mixed reality headset, the “MREAL S1”, in 2021.
The device, expected to launch some time in February this year, is by far the lightest and smallest headset in Canon’s MREAL series to date, weighing in at just 137g by itself and around 338g when attached to its HMD unit.
As well as being much smaller than previous MREAL devices and other leading mixed reality headsets like the Microsoft HoloLens 2 or the Varjo XR-3, Canon claim the simple interface and minimalist design means users of all levels will be able to operate the device with ease.
Another major USP for the MREAL S1 is the fact it’s not tied to a mounted display and can be used as both a handheld and head mounted MR device for enterprise users on the go. However, despite its discreet size and portable design, the S1 is still a fully tethered headset and will require a PC or workstation to function.
Furthermore, while both the S1’s size and design suggest it was built to target the mass market, reputable Japanese website, DC Watch, predicts pricing of the headset could start from JPY ¥4 million (approximately USD $38,500) – a number so eye-wateringly high that only large-scale, multi-national corporations could ever even consider it.
Still, it’s no secret that, unlike augmented and virtual reality, mixed reality technologies are built to target big-business and the enterprise, with all trends and insights reported at Microsoft’s recent HoloLens Industry Summit confirming this belief.
Nevertheless, it’s still exciting to see innovations like the MREAL S1 emerging within the marketplace and this early release suggest 2021 could be an exciting year for the mixed reality space.
