What VR HMD Systems Besides the Rift Should We Follow?

I write a lot about Oculus Rift, but am painfully aware that the Rift is just one of many virtual reality systems being developed for the market. Here's a very early list of alternative VR systems, ordered according to prominence and my personal interest. This list is only head-mounted displays (as opposed to the many worthwhile touch, haptic, treadmill, body suit, etc. peripherals also in development). As most of us perceive most of the world mostly through sight, it's the HMD that's the most important piece to putting the virtual in reality:

• Project Morpheus by Sony
• CastAR by Technical Illusions (which NWN covered during its Kickstarter launch, pictured here)
• Glyph by Avegant
• Google Cardboard VR
• Mark IV by Gameface
• Durovis's Dive VR
• InfinitEye by InfinitEyeVR

It's quite possible the Rift may not ultimately be the best VR solution overall, and be remembered as a pioneer, but not a market leader. However, given its backing by Facebook's billions and the talent of its technical team, the odds are still on Oculus.

That said, what others am I missing that are worth following nonetheless?

Hat tips: This GameSpot video (above) and this Fast Company article.

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Comments

[draxtor]

Cyberith, makers of the "Virtualizer"! http://draxfiles.com/2014/08/01/show-30-cyberith/

[draxtor]

...Cyberith not making HMDs but their device is indispensable if full immersion is the goal! Also GameFaceLabs http://gamefacelabs.com/

[Pathfinder]

Magic Leap - http://magicleap.com

They're in deep stealth mode now, tho. So don't expect things to be perfectly clear from their website.

For some clues, see https://research.nvidia.com/publication/near-eye-light-field-displays

[Arcadia Codesmith]

The AIRScouter by Brother looks interesting in the VRD arena.

I don't know if anybody's doing consumer-grade holographic waveguide optics, but Vuzix seems to have a strong interest, as does the U.S. military.

[Cube Republic]

I don't think it will happen with the mask paradigm.