Huawei’s research division, Wireless X Labs recently signed a MoU with VR company TPCAST to develop a cloud-based VR rendering solution.
TPCAST plans to offer an ultra-low latency codec and real-time VR data control protocol, while Huawei provides cutting-edge 5G network technologies.
In the new era of 5G, VR gaming will not require the purchase of expensive terminals. Cloud VR will lift this restriction by rendering large-scale VR gaming over the cloud. All end users can enjoy a high-quality service experience anytime and anywhere, which significantly reduces terminal requirements.
VR can currently be implemented in two ways. One is to combine low-price, head mounted displays (HMD) with smartphones. This boasts reasonable costs and high availability, but requires an improved visual experience and better comfort when worn.
The other implementation involves combining high-end HMD with high-performance PCs through wired connections. This can provide a better visual experience, but features high costs and poor mobility due to the reliance on terminals. User experience and availability are two key difficulties that hinder the development of the VR industry, and transformative technologies are urgently needed.
The cooperation between TPCAST and Wireless X Labs aims to migrate complex image processing now managed locally to the cloud to implement real-time cloud rendering of interactive VR content. Wireless cloud VR makes terminals compact and easy to wear.
Wang Yufeng, Head of Huawei Wireless X Labs
Cloud VR is an important use case for 5G networks. The connections between VR terminals and the cloud are crucial to deliver an optimal VR user experience. 5G networks can provide low latency and large bandwidth required by cloud rendering and content release.
