Stanford Researchers Show Off VR Headset That Reduces Nausea

There are many people out there who want virtual reality to take off, most notably game developers. There are many uses for VR outside of games though, including some in the medical fields. The problem for many with VR headsets available today is that the headset induces nausea in many users and eyestrain. Researchers from Stanford University have a new VR headset that addresses those two issues many users face.

Assistant Professor Gordon Wetzstein and his Computational Imaging Group has developed a new light-field stereoscope that makes a more natural VR experience than is available from headsets on the market today. The reason current headsets cause issues for many users is because they don't simulate natural 3D according to the researchers.

The new light-field technology they have developed is able to create a comfortable 3D viewing experience. NVIDIA backed some of the research performed by the team and the findings will be unveiled and demonstrated this month in LA at Siggraph 2015.

The headset the Stanford researchers have created constantly focuses on different depths, which is something our eyes do naturally in the real world. The inability to focus on different depths in VR headsets today is part of the reason some users get nausea or eye fatigue. The new headset creates a sort of hologram for each of the wearers eyes to deliver a slightly different perspective to each pupil.

SOURCE: Stanford