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At CES last year, Sony teased an AR/VR headset prototype focused on spatial content creation. And at the same time, Siemens announced it was working with Sony to use that same hardware, including the two new controllers it developed, for something it was calling the industrial metaverse. Thats a lot of buzzwords, but at CES 2025 both Siemens and Sony showed the headsets and associated software in action which helped clear up a lot of what the companies are trying to do here. During Sonys CES press conference, it announced its XYN brand of software and hardware solutions, with the headset being a key part of the equation. The XYN spatial capture solution uses mirrorless cameras to scan and make photorealistic 3D objects. Using the XYN headset, you can see those objects in 3D production software for animation, video games and other potential uses. I got a chance to try the XYN headset on, as well as see some samples of the 3D objects that were scanned and manipulated. The demo itself was a little rocky, as so many VR demos can be, but essentially I was placed inside an animated world that had already been constructed. From there, I was able to import a geode / crystal-like object that had been scanned using the spatial capture tools. I could move it all around the virtual space, scaling it up to massive size or shrinking it down to a tiny pebble. Sony The headset itself felt well-constructed and sturdy for a prototype the display flips up so you can get back into the real world quickly, and the headband was pretty comfortable and secure. As usual, though, its hard to evaluate how itll feel after an hour or two around your noggin. The controller wand felt a little fiddly to me its somewhat unusual shape makes it well-suited to pointing, but figuring out how to grab down on things took me a bit. I cant say how steep the learning curve is, but at least everything felt responsive and well-made. While the demo itself wasnt ground-breaking, it was a good example of showing the whole XYN pipeline, from capturing a 3D object to manipulating and using it to build out a virtual environment. Sony says the XYN headset and its controllers are still in the prototype phase, but it wouldnt surprise me if we find out more about public availability sooner than later. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Thats because Siemens announced this week that what appears to be the exact same headset and controllers are now on sale, albeit with a very different focus. Siemens coined the industrial metaverse phrase last year, and I got a chance to learn more about just what that means. It turns out that Sony originally built the headset for internal use for designers and engineers to build things in 3D space. They were already using Siemens software, so the companies started working together to optimize both sides of the experience and now Siemens thinks theyre at a point where they can sell the headset and software bundles to enterprise customers. Siemens highlighted its AR capabilities a bit more, showing off how you could pin its NX Immersive Designer and use the headset as a virtual workspace but one that lets you enlarge and manipulate the 3D objects youre designing. You can also jump into VR mode and see the objects at full size and move around them using the headsets controller. In this demo, I got to fly around massive 3D reproductions of a few airplanes, and while they werent the most detailed objects, the utility was clear. Sony I also used the second controller Sony developed in the Siemens demo. In addition to the pointer-style device, I had a ring over my index finger on my left hand. I used that to move around the virtual space; holding and turning my hand a specific direction moved me forwards and backwards or up and down. As always, it took a minute to get my bearings, but I was getting right up close to the virtual planes and flying up to check out their details before long. Siemens is definitely further along in the quest to bring this product to end users: the XR HMD is up for pre-order now for $4,750, and the company says itll begin shipping next month. So the hardware is definitely beyond the prototype phase in Sonys case, its probably more a matter of making sure the whole pipeline of XYN software and hardware works together before making it widely available. Sony and Siemens definitely face a challenge showing people how these tools can be useful a four-minute demo doesnt really do the trick, and Im neither an engineer nor a content creator who might use the XYN tools. But what I find most intriguing about this strategy is that Sony is recognizing that its headset isnt a broad consumer product; instead, theyre finding different places and industries where it might be useful. At this point, thats probably a smart strategy, given that consumer-grade AR and VR remains very niche outside of the gaming sphere. But assuming Sonys headset hardware is up to snuff, it wouldnt surprise me to see other companies adopt it for their specific needs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/sonys-xyn-xr-headset-is-being-used-in-very-different-ways-at-ces-2025-204020872.html?src=rss
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TripAdvisor has entered into a partnership with Perplexity to offer a human touch to the AI company's hotel information. Through this deal, listings for hotel searches on Perplexity will now include summaries of information from TripAdvisor explaining why they were included in the results. Ratings, perks and images from TripAdvisor will also appear on Perplexity. "From the Tripadvisor side, they provide an up-to-date trustworthy source of information that we sync regularly," Perplexity cofounder Johnny Ho told The Verge. "On the fly, well index and retrieve the right results depending on the user intent of the query." The results of this partnership are live now on Perplexity's website and will roll out soon to the company's mobile apps. According to the press release, the pair of businesses will continue to make improvements to their collaboration over the next three years. A lot of money probably changed hands for this deal, but no financial details were shared. Last summer, Perplexity announced plans to add an ad revenue program to its AI-powered search engine. The company has drawn accusations of plagiarism and copyright infringement from several publishers, including The New York Times, Condé Nast, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-will-now-show-hotel-information-from-tripadvisor-202923788.html?src=rss
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As Mercedes-Benz prepares to add NACS ports to new models this year, the automaker is opening access to the Tesla Supercharger network for its existing EVs. Starting in February, authorized Mercedes dealers will offer a free software update for US-based EV owners that opens the gates to the network of over 20,000 North American Supercharger stations. In Q1 2025, dealers will sell a $185 adapter for existing models to get in on the fun. Mercedes-Benz is the latest automaker to adopt NACS now that Teslas charging tech has established itself as the standard. Other manufacturers following suit include Ford, Nissan, GM, Honda, Subaru, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche you get the drift: Its basically everyone. To borrow a dated 20th-century metaphor, NACS has essentially become the VHS to CCS Betamax. Canadian Mercedes-Benz owners arent left out, but theyll have to wait a little longer. The automaker says the software update will arrive there later in 2025. Meanwhile, the adapter will be available in Canada in Q2. Mercedes says it will add the Supercharger network to its me Charge service, which enables a streamlined Plug & Charge functionality: Plug your EV in, it starts automatically and your payment is processed automatically in the background. (Neat!) Mercedes will also add Superchargers to its Navigation with Electric Intelligence system that makes it easy to get turn-by-turn directions to the nearest station. It also lets you filter your search by charging type and view real-time charger availability, status and pricing. The automaker says it will contact EV owners to schedule the software update. Mercedes dealers will also reach out when the $185 NACS to CCSI DC fast charging adapters are available.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/mercedes-benz-evs-will-get-access-to-teslas-supercharger-network-next-month-201502092.html?src=rss
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