The Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Platform is the world’s first 5G-supported extended reality (XR) platform. It unites Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s 5G and AI innovations with our industry leading XR technology to usher in a new era of mobile computing.
This premium-quality platform unveils custom features and boasts multiple firsts that can be scaled across augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR).
The Snapdragon XR2 Platform is packed with significant performance improvements compared to our current widely adopted premium-tier XR platform to deliver 2x the CPU and GPU performance, 4x more video bandwidth, 6x higher resolution and 11x AI improvement.
The Snapdragon XR2 Platform is the world’s first XR platform to support seven (7) concurrent cameras and a dedicated computer vision processor.
Additionally, this is the first XR platform to enable low latency camera pass-through to unlock true MR, which allow users to see, interact and create a hybrid of the virtual and real world while wearing a VR device. To meet the demands of truly immersive XR, the platform has customized visuals, interactivity and audio technologies, all of which utilize the foundational technology of AI and option of 5G connectivity.
The Snapdragon XR2 Platform delivers innovation that the new digital era requires. Multiple OEMs are committed to commercializing devices with the Snapdragon XR2 Platform and other customers are in various stages of prototyping and evaluation.
Today marks a significant milestone for the entire XR industry and we are excited to continue our efforts to transform how the world connects and communicates using XR.
5G
For the longest time now, we’ve heard how important 5G will be for this market, because it will allow you to stream high-quality video at the kind of low latencies that make AR/VR immersive. “5G is going to be crucial for XR. We’ve spoken about this in the past, that XRS video is the killer use case for 5G,” said Hiren Bhinde, director of product Management at Qualcomm. “Next year given that this is the world’s first 5G access platform, we are excited to see how different content developers, as well as different video streaming services with high-resolution videos, may be able to provide their high-bandwidth content on devices built on XR2.”
XR2 also enables superior 3D tracking, especially compared with the basic 3DoF XR1. Qualcomm says it’s the first XR platform to support seven concurrent cameras and a dedicated computer vision processor. Enabling a standalone device to offer 26-point hand tracking. Eye and lip tracking, and 3D room mapping, as well as a photo/video camera. It also includes a low-latency camera pass-through mode. Enabling smooth real-time mergers of digital content with what’s being seen by the camera. A key requirement for augmented reality.
Multipliers
The XR2’s performance gain multipliers vary when compared against the XR1, but the improvements from generation to generation. Are still obvious. For instance, the XR2’s AI engine delivers 15 trillion operations per second (TOPS) compared with 1.8 TOPS. In the XR1 and 1.3 TOPS in the Snapdragon 835. That’s an eight times improvement over the XR1 compared with the 11 times gain of the 835. On the other hand, the 835 supported four cameras at once versus XR1’s three and XR2’s seven. And XR2 includes both and 60GHz support, while XR1 and the 835 were limited to Wi-Fi 5.
It’s worth noting that XR2 customers will have the option of 5G support. But it’s not a mandatory element in the platform. The latest mode can be integrated with the XR2 as needed. Qualcomm expects some devices will use it for “truly boundless XR.” Splitting processing between the device and low-latency edge. Cloud streaming servers to produce photorealistic experiences.
Without naming specific companies, Qualcomm says that multiple OEMs have already committed to selling devices. Using Snapdragon XR2, while others are evaluating the platform. Based on the Snapdragon 835 and XR1 experiences, the lead time between evaluation. And announcement could be a year. Which is to say that we might begin to see actual products. Using the new platform in late 2020 or early 2021. That said, Qualcomm’s Advantage Network is now offering partners. Access to both reference designs and software packages. That may help new entrants get up and running more quickly than before. For more on the Snapdragon XR2 and Qualcomm’s plans.