Half Dive VR is a virtual reality headset project created by a company from Japan called Diver-X. The startup developed a HalfDive prototype device with a somewhat different concept from most other VR headsets currently on the market, in that the user wears the VR headset while lying down on their back.
Most other VR headsets currently on the market are optimized for the user to be in a sitting, standing or walking position while using the device. So the freedom to experience VR comfortably while lying down on a bed or couch generated significant interest.
Half Dive vs. Full Dive VR
The term Full Dive VR comes from a Japanese anime series called Sword Art Online (SAO). In the fictional Sword Art Online series, users can link their brain directly into a virtual reality environment. Sword Art Online called this type of virtual reality experience a FullDive, because the brain computer interface enabled the user to experience full VR immersion while lying down.
What is Full Dive VR (and the Brain Computer Interface)
During a Full Dive experience, despite being laid down in a sleeping posture, the user would still be able to feel like they are moving around, and using all five senses to interact with virtual objects in the simulated environment. Because of the direct connection to the brain and nervous system, this type of interface is referred to in SAO as NerveGear. Similar types of full dive VR experiences were later referenced in other science fiction films such as The Matrix. For more detail on the concepts of nerve gear and Full Dive VR, check out our related articles.
Meaning Behind Half Dive VR
The name of the Diver-X HalfDive VR project alludes to the concept of FullDive VR from SAO, while clearly acknowledging that the current technology permits only a partial version of the theoretical FullDive experience. Half dive would still engage multiple senses and allow for force feedback, but not to the same extent as the immersion of Full Dive VR.
Diver-X Half Dive Kickstarter Funding
Diver-X launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the project, offering
The HalfDive VR headset was originally planned to include two options:
• HalfDive Minimum Model (priced around $750)
• HalfDive Basic Model (priced around $1050)
Key Features and Pricing of Half Dive VR Headset
The originally proposed Half Dive headset from Diver-X was planned to include the following features:
Minimum Model Features:
• VR Headset with 2880×1660 LCD display and 134 degree field of view
• Base Station
• Handheld controllers and foot controllers
• Four speakers and microphone built in for a 3D immersive sound system
• Support for any SteamVR application
Basic Model Features:
The basic model would include all the same features of the minimum model, but also would add:
• Force Feedback Module (the device would use a wire based force feedback system to give users a sense of touch)
• Wind Feedback Module with fans to simulate wind
The proposed VR headset would require a connection to a personal computer to run the software and come with a module connection that would connect via wire to the computer’s display port.
Half Dive Project Canceled
In early 2022, Diver-X announced that the HalfDive VR headset project would be canceled due mainly to manufacturing and cash flow challenges.
Given the growth and adoption of existing VR devices that do a fairly good job of tracking the user’s head and body movement using input devices like hand controllers, it was unclear if the audience for the HalfDive VR headset would be large enough to justify the costs of scaling up for mass production. Since the half dive project only allowed for a more passive experience while lying down, it was unclear that it would truly achieve the innovative experiences that the company was aiming for.
In a statement released by the company, they acknowledged that despite the interesting work done to optimize a device for use in a sleeping posture, “it is only a replacement of existing VR devices and not yet an interface that brings innovative experiences”.
Interesting Applications for Half Dive VR
Due to the user being in a lying down position, VR experiences that involve freedom of body movement were clearly not a good fit for a platform like Half Dive. However, there are interesting ways that this type of VR headset could be used.
One interesting feature of the Half Dive headset design is that it doesn’t strap firmly to the head, but instead acts as a kind of cradle that allows the user to move their head within a particular range of motion. This could potentially make it more comfortable for long term use, because VR devices that strap tightly to the head can lead to discomfort in longer gaming sessions. Experts have also noted that laying down allows the headset to be heavier since you don’t have to actually carry around the weight of the headset. This potentially allows for a more extensive lens setup to optimize image clarity.
While you wouldn’t be able to physically walk around like in the real world, the system would come with foot controllers that allow the user to adjust their ankle position to partially replicate a walking motion. In this way, you could still control the way your avatar walks around to explore a virtual world when playing VR games.
On the other hand, since the user is lying down, experiences that require interacting with virtual reality using your arms could get tiring if you have to hold your arms up in the air.
This combination of features would still allow for some valuable use cases.
Relevant use cases for VR in sleeping position:
• Watching movies, TV shows, etc. in an immersive and comfortable position
• VR Chat with friends in other locations
• Meditation, relaxation, or immersive reading
• Remote travel experiences or metaverse explorations that are more passive
• Role-playing games that are more focused on exploration and puzzles or problem-solving as opposed to action and physical movements or virtual hand-to-hand fighting
The Future of Diver-X
Since the cancellation of the HalfDive kickstarter project, there hasn’t been a lot of news from Diver-X. Their website currently indicates that they are working “with Shiftall Inc to develop a VR related device” but there isn’t much more information on that since April of 2022. However, they continue to indicate that their missing is to focus on finding ways to make a “revolutionary virtual reality experience” that maximizes the benefits of the “human sleeping position”.
It will be interesting to keep an eye on what they do moving forward, so we will continue to keep an eye on any newsworthy developments and update this page as needed.
