Sony is still negotiating PS VR2 tech, eye-tracking firm claims

Sony is still negotiating the components that will make up the PlayStation VR 2 headset, according to a manufacturer.

In a statement published on Monday, Tobii AB – which calls itself “the global leader in eye-tracking and pioneer of attention computing” – announced it is “currently in negotiation with Sony Interactive Entertainment to be the eye-tracking technology provider in SIE’s new VR headset, PlayStation VR2″.

It added: “Tobii is not commenting on the financial impact of the deal at this time as negotiations are ongoing.”

UPDATE: Sony has licensed eye-tracking technology for the PlayStation VR2 headset from Tobii, it’s announced.

Tobii sells eye and head tracking cameras at an RRP of $230 / £230. The cameras use a custom infrared optical sensor to track users’ eye movements, with support in over 50 games including Far Cry 6 and Flight Simulator.

Supported games can then be controlled using eye movement for functions such as aiming and selecting items, with visuals even able to come in and out of focus based on where the player is looking.

Tobii also makes a PC application that tracks head movement only in compatible gaming laptops, allowing users to steer in-game cameras.

Sony has yet to comment on an official release date for the PS VR2 headset. However, if the company has yet to formally decide some of the components will make up the machine, it could suggest it may be some time before it enters full production.

Sony revealed PSVR2’s specs during its keynote at CES 2022 last month, but no official release window was provided for the peripheral.

Asked following the event if PS VR2 would release this year, a Sony spokesperson declined to confirm or deny a 2022 window.

During its specs announcement last month, Sony confirmed its intention to include eye-tracking in PSVR2 and even detailed what the feature would do.

“With eye-tracking, PS VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character,” it said.

“This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.”

SIE also confirmed the new headset will support Foveated rendering, which is a rendering technique that uses an eye tracker to essentially improve the graphical quality of VR software, by reducing the image quality in the peripheral vision of the user.

PSVR2 will feature 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view visuals with foveated rendering. Its OLED display will offer 2000×2040 resolution per eye and frame rates of 90/120hz.