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HTC is sending its Vive Focus 3 VR headsets to the International Space Station (ISS) to help support the mental health of astronauts. The headsets will be used by astronauts to access VR therapy programs designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and homesickness.
Key Highlights:
- HTC is sending its Vive Focus 3 VR headsets to the International Space Station (ISS) to help support the mental health of astronauts.
- The headsets will be used by astronauts to access VR therapy programs designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and homesickness.
- This is the first time that VR headsets will be used for mental health purposes in space.
This is the first time that VR headsets will be used for mental health purposes in space. The headsets have been specially configured to be compatible with the microgravity conditions of space.
The VR therapy programs that will be available to astronauts include:
- Relaxation and mindfulness exercises: These exercises can help astronauts to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve their sleep quality.
- Cognitive training exercises: These exercises can help astronauts to improve their memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.
- Social interaction experiences: These experiences can help astronauts to stay connected with their loved ones on Earth and reduce feelings of isolation.
The VR therapy programs will be accessible to astronauts through the XRHealth virtual reality platform. XRHealth is a leading provider of VR therapy programs for a variety of mental health conditions.
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- Includes Deluxe Pack VR Accessories: VIVE Face Gasket 2.0, VIVE Deluxe Strap, VIVE Temple Clips, and VIVE MR Gasket.
- PC Gaming Headset: Bring captivating PC VR games to your all‑in‑one VR headset. Connect to your VR-ready PC and enjoy low-latency, high-fidelity, PC-VR gaming.¹
- Base Station-Free: No base stations needed with this standalone VR headset. Get next-level freedom with the HTC Vive XR Elite Virtual Reality headset with 4 wide field-of-view tracking cameras.
- Personalize Your Fit: Fine-tune your viewing experience with stepless IPD and diopter adjustments for the most natural and clearest VR experience.
- Immersive High-Resolution Graphics: The XR Elite boasts 3840 x 1920 combined resolution and 19 pixels per degree. Up to 110° field of view and 90Hz refresh rate in a remarkably compact form factor.
HTC is working with Nord-Space Aps, a Danish engineering firm, and XRHealth to send the VR headsets to the ISS. The headsets are scheduled to arrive at the ISS on November 7, 2023.
Why is this important?
Astronauts face a number of challenges that can impact their mental health, including:
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- FLEXIBLE PLAY AREA - Use VIVE seated, standing or in a space up to 11'5" x 11'5". SteamVR Tracking provides the most ideal experience possible, so play the way that works for you.
- FULLY IMMERSIVE - Realistic movement and actions from precise, 360-degree controller and headset tracking with realistic graphics, directional audio and HD haptic feedback in the virtual world
- POWERED BY STEAM VR - Enjoy over 1500 games for SteamVR, plus everything you love about Steam, including new releases, automatic game updates and millions of your closest friends
- PLAY SAFER - The Chaperone system warns you when you reach the boundaries of your play area and the headset's front-facing camera gives you a glimpse of the real-world when you need it
- VIVE VIDEO - An immersive, cinematic VR video player for standard, 3D, 180 and 360 degree videos. Available free on VIVEPORT and Steam.
- Isolation from loved ones
- Confinement to a small space
- Exposure to dangerous conditions
- Long periods of time away from Earth
VR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including stress, anxiety, and depression. By providing astronauts with VR therapy, HTC is helping to address a critical need in the space program.
Implications:
The use of VR therapy to support the mental health of astronauts could have a number of implications for the future of space exploration. For example, VR therapy could be used to help astronauts prepare for the psychological challenges of long-duration space missions, such as missions to Mars. Additionally, VR therapy could be used to help astronauts recover from the psychological effects of space missions.
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- All-In-One VR Solution: The VIVE Focus series offers standalone and PC VR experiences. Harness the power of virtual reality with high-resolution displays, versatile tracking features, and immersive applications. Base station-free.
- PC VR Gaming Headset: Immerse yourself in low-latency VIVEPORT and SteamVR gameplay. DisplayPort mode delivers lossless, high-fidelity visuals straight from your PC.(1) Connect your PC directly to your Wi-Fi router using an Ethernet cable for PC VR streaming.
- Make Interactions Real: Connect in VRChat like never before. With built-in eye tracking and low-light hand tracking; plus face and body tracker support, movement in VR is intuitive and lifelike.(2)(3)
- Immersive 5k Headset Display: The immersive display puts you right at the heart of the action with a 5K resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, up to 120° field of view, and 90 Hz refresh rate.
- Personalize Your Fit: Auto-IPD adjustment aligns the XR headset's lenses with the centers of your pupils, giving your eyes the clearest, most comfortable viewing experience.(4)
HTC’s decision to send VR headsets to the ISS is a significant step forward for the use of VR therapy in space. By providing astronauts with VR therapy, HTC is helping to address a critical need in the space program and paving the way for the future of space exploration.
Quick Recap
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- Visualize in 5K clarity-bring out the finer details with combined 4896 x 2448 resolution. 5K resolution may be subject to processing compatibility
- See more of your environment-a wide 120 Degree field of view (FOV) expands the VR viewing experience. The increased angle better aligns with the human eyes, letting you see more naturally
- Experience seamless visuals-increase your visual comfort in graphics-intensive games and apps with a 120Hz refresh rate
- Enjoy VR with hours on end comfort-industry-defining balanced construction and adjustability provide a comfortable Fit for VR sessions of any length and purpose. The headset fits a wide range of head sizes and vision types, even glasses
- Find your sweet spot-minimize eye fatigue with the IPD adjustment dial. Interpupillary distance (ipd)-the distance measured in mm between the centers of eye pupils
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- All-In-One VR Solution: The VIVE Focus series offers standalone and PC VR experiences. Harness the power of virtual reality with high-resolution displays, versatile tracking features, and immersive applications. Base station-free.
- PC VR Gaming Headset: Immerse yourself in low-latency VIVEPORT andSteamVR gameplay. DisplayPort mode delivers lossless, high-fidelity visuals straight from your PC.(1) Connect your PC directly to your Wi-Fi router using an Ethernet cable for PC VR streaming.
- Make Interactions Real: Connect in VRChat like never before. With built-in eye and low-light, hand tracking plus face and body tracker support, movement in VR is intuitive and lifelike.(2)(3)
- Immersive 5k Headset Display: The immersive display puts you right at the heart of the action with a 5K resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, up to 120° field of view, and 90 Hz refresh rate.
- Personalize Your Fit: Auto-IPD adjustment aligns the XR headset's lenses with the centers of your pupils, giving your eyes the clearest, most comfortable viewing experience.(4)
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