Valve recently began shipping its long-awaited VR headset, the Steam Frame. Now, there is a hardware reference repository that includes everything a budding modder might need, and then some.
Want to design and 3D print some add-ons, or a carrying case, or some other doodad? There’s no need to break out the calipers or 3D scan the hardware. The repository contains STEP format models of the VR core module, head strap, and controllers, so it’s as easy as possible to design things that’ll fit. The location of the IR tracking LEDs embedded in the controllers is also documented, so one can ensure their design doesn’t occlude them.
That’s not all. The Frame has a user-accessible hardware expansion port at its front. This port exposes two interfaces: high-speed MIPI camera and PCI Express. This expansion port is documented in the repository, and even has a simple reference design built in both KiCad and Altium.
We’re glad to see Valve maintain their hacker-friendly hardware design with the Steam Frame. Demand for The Frame outstrips supply so far, so if you’re on the waitlist, you might want to browse the repository and get an early start on whatever customizations you have in mind while you wait for your confirmation. And when you get something working, drop us a note on the tips line!
The VR ship sailed (not so) long ago. Valve should instead tell its engineers to develop an affordable alternative to Nvidia RTX GPUs because the way things are going, in 5-10 years nobody will be able to do gaming on PCs with those prices and it’ll be joever for Steam.
Isn’t that a bit negative… If you look closer you will see that recently (definitely due to AI) VR is having a bit of a moment. Nearly every flat game can be converted with a week or two of effort. VR is never going to completely replace flat, but it’s been “dead” for 10 years. Also, this reminds me of the last time this happened “you needed powerful centralized servers to do real work” and then it all decentralized and people had powerful computer hardware in the home. It will return to that within 10yr anyway. I guess you are right about one thing though- if major corps weren’t chewing up all the hardware we could already go that direction now, kinda ironic.
AMD and Intel are still in business making their respective GPUs. Heck the Adreno in some phones may be up to the task.
What a crock of bull-poopies!!!!!
You should go back to the YT comment sections where really daft comments seem to be cherished and the norm.
Just wait until the pr0n industry combines VR/AR and AI. Just slap some AI character control onto something like virt-a-mate or something.
Then we’ll have a TNG:S05E06 scenario…
I wish Valve hadn’t designed the powerpack with a proprietary split(?) lithium cell.
Instead two packs of two 18650 cells – individually swapable so you can use one and charge the other.
And of course build your own with spare 18650 cells.
USB3 and DP-alt-mode on the USB-C would’ve been nice too (now I can’t just attach my stereoscopic PSVR camera & the old XBOX kinect camera module requires 12v).
Oh what is a decade between friends when one is running late? Those are the Oculus controls anyway from the screenshot. Already impressive lol.
No, the general shape is rather similar, but the controls configuration is very different