Lynx R1: Difference between revisions
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The '''Lynx R1''' is a [[standalone headset|standalone]] [[mixed reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by French startup [[Lynx Mixed Reality]]. Announced on February 3, 2020, and released between November 2022 and 2023, it was the first standalone headset designed from the ground up to support both [[virtual reality]] (VR) and [[augmented reality]] (AR) experiences through video [[passthrough]].<ref name="lynx-website"> | The '''Lynx R1''' is a [[standalone headset|standalone]] [[mixed reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by French startup [[Lynx Mixed Reality]]. Announced on February 3, 2020, and released between November 2022 and 2023, it was the first standalone headset designed from the ground up to support both [[virtual reality]] (VR) and [[augmented reality]] (AR) experiences through video [[passthrough]].<ref name="lynx-website"></ref> The device features a unique optical system using 4-fold catadioptric freeform prisms, allowing for a more compact design compared to traditional [[Fresnel lens]]-based headsets.<ref name="roadtovr-optics"/> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
[[Lynx Mixed Reality]] was founded in 2019 by [[Stan Larroque]], who discovered the field of VR/AR in late 2016 while using an [[Oculus Rift|Oculus DK2]] at his school.<ref name="stan-blog"> | [[Lynx Mixed Reality]] was founded in 2019 by [[Stan Larroque]], who discovered the field of VR/AR in late 2016 while using an [[Oculus Rift|Oculus DK2]] at his school.<ref name="stan-blog"></ref> The company started with a team of 15 people with various backgrounds ranging from designers to electronics engineers.<ref name="lynx-about"></ref> | ||
The Lynx R1 was first publicly revealed at the [[SPIE Photonics West]] conference in San Francisco on February 3, 2020, where Larroque presented the headset's unique optical approach during an online presentation.<ref name="roadtovr-optics"/> Initially positioned primarily for enterprise applications with a planned price of $1,500, the device was set to ship in summer 2020 with pre-orders available for a $150 down payment.<ref name="roadtovr-optics"/> | The Lynx R1 was first publicly revealed at the [[SPIE Photonics West]] conference in San Francisco on February 3, 2020, where Larroque presented the headset's unique optical approach during an online presentation.<ref name="roadtovr-optics"/> Initially positioned primarily for enterprise applications with a planned price of $1,500, the device was set to ship in summer 2020 with pre-orders available for a $150 down payment.<ref name="roadtovr-optics"/> | ||
===Kickstarter Campaign=== | ===Kickstarter Campaign=== | ||
In October 2021, Lynx launched a [[Kickstarter]] campaign for the R1 headset, pivoting toward a wider consumer audience and removing the originally planned [[eye tracking]] feature to reduce costs. The campaign was highly successful, reaching its funding goal in under 15 hours and ultimately raising €725,281 (approximately $835,000) from 1,216 backers.<ref name="roadtovr-kickstarter"> | In October 2021, Lynx launched a [[Kickstarter]] campaign for the R1 headset, pivoting toward a wider consumer audience and removing the originally planned [[eye tracking]] feature to reduce costs. The campaign was highly successful, reaching its funding goal in under 15 hours and ultimately raising €725,281 (approximately $835,000) from 1,216 backers.<ref name="roadtovr-kickstarter"></ref> The Kickstarter offered different tiers, with the consumer version starting at €530 ($500 without European VAT) and the Professional Edition at €950 ($900 without VAT).<ref name="roadtovr-kickstarter"/> Backers could opt for a Limited Edition version featuring a transparent front faceplate.<ref name="kickstarter-campaign"></ref> | ||
===Production and Delays=== | ===Production and Delays=== | ||
Following multiple pandemic-related supply chain delays, production began at contract manufacturer [[Compal]] in mid-2023.<ref name="uploadvr-production"> | Following multiple pandemic-related supply chain delays, production began at contract manufacturer [[Compal]] in mid-2023.<ref name="uploadvr-production"></ref> The first certified retail units shipped to Kickstarter backers on November 18, 2022, with general availability following in 2023.<ref name="vrexpert-launch"/> | ||
===Funding and Investment=== | ===Funding and Investment=== | ||
In May 2022, Lynx announced it had secured $4 million in Series A funding led by [[Somnium Space]], a social VR platform company. This funding round aimed to help establish Lynx as the "European Champion of Mixed Reality."<ref name="roadtovr-series-a"> | In May 2022, Lynx announced it had secured $4 million in Series A funding led by [[Somnium Space]], a social VR platform company. This funding round aimed to help establish Lynx as the "European Champion of Mixed Reality."<ref name="roadtovr-series-a"></ref> | ||
==Technical Specifications== | ==Technical Specifications== | ||