Qualcomm and Microsoft are working together on a metaverse chip for AR glasses. The goal is to mate the custom chips with the software that developers need to create virtual worlds in which people can work and play.
The Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon said that future devices from the collaboration will work with a Microsoft software product called Mesh. It allows users to beam a realistic likeness of themselves into the headset of another user so that it feels like the two people are in the same room.
The future hardware will also use software from Qualcomm called Snapdragon Spaces. It helps perform basic augmented reality functions like mapping out physical spaces so that digital objects can be overlaid on them and hand-tracking so that users can manipulate those digital objects with hand gestures. Ruben Caballero, corporate vice president for mixed reality at Microsoft, said in a statement:
“Our goal is to inspire and empower others to collectively work to develop the metaverse future – a future that is grounded in trust and innovation.”
The two companies did not give details about when the chips and headsets would be available.
