Intel Project Alloy mixed reality headset gets cancelled due to low interest

A bit more than one year ago, Intel presented a fairly impressive vision of what it wanted to achieve with Project Alloy. This was to be an open reference design of a mixed reality headset. Project Alloy was envisioned as a tetherless x86-based VR/AR device, it was basically a fully-contained PC. It didn't require a smartphone or a PC, and it even removed the need for controls.

Nine months ago Intel said the headset would ship in the final quarter of this year but now we hear the chip giant threw Project Alloy into the recycle bin. The headset didn't resonate with Intel's partners, interest in Intel's project was too low so the company decided to focus on other VR R&D instead.

Here's the statement Intel send to Road to VR:

Intel has made the decision to wind down its Project Alloy reference design, however we will continue to invest in the development of technologies to power next-generation AR/VR experiences. This includes: Movidius for visual processing, Intel® RealSense™ depth sensing and six degrees of freedom (6DoF) solutions, and other enabling technologies including Intel® WiGig, Thunderbolt™, and Intel® Optane™. All of these Intel technology solutions are supported by a robust portfolio of software capabilities, and we’re building out a VR support ecosystem, from software design kits to reference designs, to spur innovation that’s enabling rich and immersive content. Project Alloy served as a great proof of concept for Intel and the industry – showing what’s possible in a high-performance, immersive and untethered VR experience. What we’ve learned through Project Alloy will inform future efforts.

The site points out the project likely failed due to concerns over the high cost, issues with ergonomics, battery life difficulties, and the fact that most major PC players are already working on other VR projects.