SILICONE VALLEY: Panasonic Corp. said Monday that it will release a goggle-type virtual reality headset through a subsidiary this spring, targeting users of “metaverse” online platforms.

The MeganeX headset was unveiled to the media at an event prior to the CES 2022 consumer electronics and information technology trade show to be held in Las Vegas from Wednesday. It is compatible with the Steam VR game distribution service.

Panasonic’s move comes as the metaverse is attracting attention, with Facebook Inc. having renamed itself as Meta Platforms Inc. to focus on the virtual reality world.

MeganeX will be priced below 100,000 yen and sold through the subsidiary, Shiftall Inc., Panasonic said. It hopes to differentiate the new headset from rivals’ products by balancing its lightness and high resolution.

Developed mainly for users who spend a long time in the metaverse, MeganeX weighs 250 grams, about half the weight of a similar product offered by Meta.

At the same time, it is equipped with a high-resolution organic electroluminescence microdisplay, allowing users to feel a sense of immersion in the metaverse.

The Panasonic headset also detects head, neck and other body movements.

JIJI Press