Many users around the world have not had the opportunity to experience Apple’s high-tech glasses, Vision Pro, due to its high price. However, China has always disappointed users when it comes to having cheaper alternatives.
EmdoorVR, based in Shenzhen, China, has created a virtual reality headset called Vision SE.
Shi Qing, CEO of EmdoorVR, said the company hopes to take advantage of the attention around Apple’s mixed reality glasses, Vision Pro, to survive during the recession period of the virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) industry. The CEO shared, “We don’t want to miss the opportunity from Apple Vision Pro, so we have taken the time to create a similar product.”
Priced at under 2,000 Chinese yuan (about $280), Vision SE allows users to watch videos, browse websites, and use applications in VR and AR environments, using a 5.5-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 3664 x 1920 pixels.
From the white strap, curved front screen to the name, Vision SE shows remarkable similarities with Apple’s headphones. However, their functions and prices are completely different.
Users have to pay 12 times less to own the Vision SE glasses compared to the price of Apple’s Vision Pro (with a starting price of $3,499). EmdoorVR’s device is only equipped with the low-level AR and VR processor, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR1, so it lacks eye tracking and hand gesture interaction experiences like Apple’s Vision Pro.
While Apple’s glasses delve into a new concept of spatial computing, Emdoor’s Vision SE focuses more on providing entertainment experiences. Shi also emphasized that the company has filed relevant patent applications and undergone an audit process to avoid legal risks.
According to IDC, the global AR and VR market will grow over 46% by 2024, thanks to Apple’s Vision Pro and the availability of Quest 3, which Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook) will release in October 2023.
Founded in 2015, EmdoorVR is a startup that initially produced VR devices on contract for Chinese tech companies, including iQiyi and ZTE, as well as other clients.
According to the CEO of EmdoorVR, business operations targeting enterprises contribute about 90% of the company’s total revenue. The company has shipped 200,000AX161 glasses, aimed at businesses with the same specifications as Vision SE since the product’s launch in 2023.
Vision SE is EmdoorVR’s step towards approaching the mass market segment, and the company hopes that Apple will pave the way for this market. The marketing and release schedule of Vision SE is also planned to be in line with Apple’s schedule. Vision SE was introduced in October 2023, just a few months after Apple unveiled Vision Pro in June 2023.
EmdoorVR then showcased Vision SE at CES, the world’s leading consumer electronics exhibition held in Las Vegas in January 2024, just before Vision Pro was released on February 2.
Apple’s entry into the VR and AR market has attracted the attention of Chinese app developers. DingTalk, the workplace collaboration platform operated by e-commerce giant Alibaba, recently launched an original app for Vision Pro, allowing users to send messages and organize video meetings in a three-dimensional virtual environment (3D).
Reference: SCMP
