Would Meta Quest benefit from a wireless compute puck? Here's what the CTO says
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth explains why a wireless compute puck isn't an option for Meta Quest. But there might be an alternative.
In his most recent AMA on Instagram, Meta's CTO and Head of Reality Labs Andrew Bosworth was asked if there's a chance that future VR headsets will have wireless compute pucks to lower the weight of the devices.
Here is Bosworth's answer.
"We have looked at this a bunch of times. Wireless compute pucks really just don't solve the problem. If you're wireless, they still have to have a battery on the headset, which is a major driver of weight, and sure you're gaining some thermal space, so your performance could potentially be better, although you're somewhat limited now by bandwidth because you're using radio.
And you've increased your cost dramatically because even if your major silicon is in the wireless compute pack, you still need quite a bit of silicon just to, like, power the displays and do the local kind of corrections required there, and handle the streams of data. So it really ends up… the math doesn't work is what I'm saying really. It doesn't save you that much weight and dramatically increases cost and complexity."
Tethered compute pucks could be a viable middle ground
It was probably Meta's Orion prototype AR glasses that inspired this question. The wearable was first demonstrated in September and is Meta's first face computer with a wireless compute puck to be shown to the public. The puck does most of the processing and streams rendered graphics to the AR glasses. This is the only way the wearable can achieve the glasses form factor and a weight of less than 100 grams.
According to Bosworth, the processing power of the compute puck is ten times less than that of a Quest headset, presumably to reduce heat generation. The puck is designed to be worn in a pocket or bag rather than openly on the body.
The Orion prototype with the neural wristband and the wireless compute puck. | Image: Meta
Beyond that, little is known about Orion's compute puck, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the suitability of this technical concept for future VR headsets. What is clear is that the graphics that need to be rendered and streamed to Meta Quest are many times more complex than those for AR glasses like Orion.
A viable middle ground could be tethered compute pucks, as these would also allow the battery to be outsourced.
The Information reported back in August, that Meta is currently developing a product prototype codenamed Puffin, which is said to be a pair of lightweight mixed reality glasses that use a tethered compute pack. It could be released in 2027, assuming it makes it through all of Meta's product development stages. If it comes to market, it will likely be a new product line and device category separate from Meta Quest.
Interested in VR and AR? Then follow us on Facebook or X or share your experience in the comments. For feedback, topic suggestions, or other ideas, please email us at hello@mixed-news.com.
Note: Links to online stores in articles can be so-called affiliate links. If you buy through this link, MIXED receives a commission from the provider. For you the price does not change.
