Over the past year, the buzz around Sony’s SRH-S1 standalone mixed reality (MR) headset had somewhat dimmed since it was unveiled at CES 2024. However, the wait is over, as the device, which focuses on enterprise use, now has a confirmed launch date and price tag.
In collaboration with Siemens, Sony has developed the SRH-S1, a headset specifically designed for industrial applications. It’s slated to hit the market in February 2025, with a price set at $4,750. Interested buyers can start placing orders on January 23, 2025, through Siemens, who will handle the distribution.
Last year, the SRH-S1 was marketed with creatives in mind, but Sony and Siemens have since shifted their focus. Now, they’re pitching it as a tool to “enable the industrial metaverse,” enhancing areas like product design and manufacturing. Thanks to Siemens’ advanced mixed reality tools, this headset promises significant improvements in these sectors.
This headset doesn’t skimp on tech specs. It boasts a remarkable 13.6-megapixel resolution per eye, utilizing Sony’s own ECX344A OLED microdisplay and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 technology. Sony’s proprietary rendering technology further enhances real-time 3D object rendering, promising users a top-notch experience.
As a mixed reality device, the SRH-S1 includes handy features like passthrough video and a flip-up visor. The ergonomic controllers are particularly interesting; they’re designed for intuitive interaction, combining a stylus-like pointer with a ring for seamless 3D manipulation.
Meanwhile, Siemens has fine-tuned its Immersive Engineering tools suite over the past year. These tools are designed for SRH-S1 users, offering the ability to design 3D assets with CAD, engage with virtual models, and conduct remote, collaborative design reviews via their NX X cloud platform.
In a statement, Bob Haubrock, Siemens Digital Industries Software’s senior VP of Product Engineering Software, said, “Since previewing the headset at CES last year, our teams have crafted tools that revolutionize mixed reality in engineering. They not only foster global collaborations with high-fidelity 3D models but also enable direct co-creation on crucial 3D CAD data in a secure environment.”
In addition to this announcement, Sony also hinted at a new creative-focused headset named XYN during CES. Although details are scarce, including pricing and a release date, the prototype appears to be a variant of the SRH-S1. It features a distinct black color scheme contrasted with the SRH-S1’s gray, marking it out as a noteworthy addition to Sony’s expanding lineup.
