While on stage at the Augmented World Expo, Kopin Corporation showcased a reference design the company called Elf VR. The reference design was for a new head-mounted display Kopin created with its partner Goertek Inc. a VR headset manufacturer. Kopin claims that the new model will eliminate many of the barriers that have stood in the way of providing an effective VR experience.
Kopin — OLED-based VR headset reference design
High Resolution
Conventional VR headsets have been large, heavy, and uncomfortable. Also, low resolution and sluggish framerates tend to cause the screen door effect and nausea. According to Kopin, the LightningTM” OLED microdisplay panel that it created puts an end to the dreaded screen door effect with a resolution of 2048 by 2048 in each eye. In fact, Kopin says that 2940 pixels per inch resolution is five times the resolution of standard VR displays and three times the resolution of the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
Faster Refresh Rate and Lower Power Consumption
Running at 120 Hz the microdisplay boasts a refresh rate that is 33 percent faster than tradition head-mounted-displays. Kopin says that this quick refresh rate reduces latency, flicker, and motion blur, thereby eliminating nausea and fatigue.
Also, because the microdisplay is OLED-based, it has substantially less heat output, uses much less power, and features an extended battery life.
“It is now time for us to move beyond our conventional expectation of what virtual reality can be and strive for more,” explained Kopin founder and CEO John Fan. “Great progress has been made this year, although challenges remain. This reference design, created with our partner Goertek, is a significant achievement. It is much lighter and fully 40% smaller than standard solutions so that it can be worn for long periods without discomfort. At the same time, our OLED microdisplay panel achieves such high resolution and frame rate that it delivers a VR experience that truly approaches reality for markets including gaming, pro applications or film.”
