The Lynx AR/VR Headset: A New Look for AR and VR

Virtual reality headsets are moving into the stand-alone space, and Lynx is throwing their name in the hat for market share.

The Lynx VR/AR headset is the first headset that has pass-through vision capability while maintaining untethered capability. This headset features a 4-fold catadioptric freeform prism, a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, and dual 1600×1600 LCD panels running at 90Hz.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty on this headset

Standalone Headset Market – Where the Lynx Fits

Recently, there are plenty of headsets that claim to be standalone. The Oculus Quest is leading the charge in wireless virtual reality gaming and software. For myself and many others, and development that is being done is done on the quest.

Although many on the surface are skeptical of the Lynx because of its launch cost of $1499 USD, it fits in its own niche.

Passthrough AR

The thing that makes the Lynx special is that it is designed to be a direct pass-through AR headset.

Most headsets use some kind of camera system and then present the real world as an image on a screen. With the Lynx, there can be overlay directly on top of your vision. This is really impressive.

Using two separate intricate lenses, the lynx can have true passthrough that has never been seen before. There are applications for virtual reality that require better technology in this space, and this is the type of headset that will lead us there. Many people disregard this headset because it’s expensive, but you have to recognize that it is the perfect set of tech for new applications.

Who is this for?

The Lynx headset is not made for gaming or home use but instead focuses more on engineers, military, and medical applications.

Using pass-through technology, all sorts of new applications for AR is possible, especially since it is completely wireless.

Although many applications like this exist, they have always been required to have some sort of connection to a bulky processing unit. These cords can get in the way if you are trying to simulate battle for future soldiers or something similar.

The ability to have a headset that is completely free of connections to another device makes using this in business applications much more practical.

I can see a lot of different businesses picking this up and using it to train and create in ways that we have never seen before.

Background on the Lynx

Lynx was founded by Stan Larroque in France, and once you understand his background you will understand the purpose behind his creation.

Stan has been working on this hardware and software for almost 4 years. Using his background in the French air force, Stan has been developing a much-needed solution for the VR/AR portability problem.

A team of 10 engineers led by Stan created the headset after raising 2 million Euros in august 2019.

That is some fast turnaround, so I am really excited for this thing to drop in the summer of 2020.