Readying to support Windows Mixed Reality headsets in Q4
ASUS has recently announced that it is readying to spin off its augmented reality and virtual reality development teams to become an independent startup, according to the latest Far East reports.
In a turn of events characterized by a fashion-forward brand name, the company has decided to name its independent startup "Glamorfy" and has been allowed to operate independent as Glamorfy Taiwan. The new startup was previously a development unit of ASUS' human machine interface (HMI) software department and has since rolled out a number of AR and VR products – including a 3D VR makeup design studio for cosmetic purposes, complete with integrated Voice-over-IP support.
For at least the past year, Glamorfy Taiwan has been participating in the development of augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) devices, including the upcoming ASUS Windows Mixed Reality headset that will debut later in the fourth quarter of 2017. The new head-mounted displays will be accompanied by custom ASUS software supporting the devices, and will likely offer a more extensive driver suite with a selection of demos and featured software applications to choose from.
Over the next few months, the company's independent AR/VR startup unit plans to obtain a series of investments from several potential investors to expand its operations and research outlook. This will hopefully lead to an eventual spinoff from the parent company.
ASUS is currently Taiwan's largest IT hardware manufacturer, and its Hi-Tech Park located in Suzhou, China covers nearly 540,000 square meters (5.8 million square feet), or roughly the size of eighty-two soccer fields. Surely it has enough room to spin off its wearable headset division while maintaining a sizable portion of its HMI software department.
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