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Mashable had the opportunity to preview Sony's latest XYN series of Spatial content creation tools during CES. Image credit: Mashable.
Over the past few years, the market has been flooded with VR headsets, including the Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and numerous other contenders, as companies race to establish themselves in the space.
At CES 2025, Sony unveiled the latest addition to this landscape — a brand-new VR headset and an entire line dedicated to spatial 3D content: Sony XYN.
What distinguishes the Sony XYN headset from its competitors is its targeted approach. In contrast to other VR headsets that cater primarily to consumers for gaming or media experiences, the XYN series is crafted specifically for creators engaged in 3D content production.
Mashable was granted an exclusive sneak peek at the Sony XYN headset during CES, where they delved into the headset's advanced spatial capture technologies and got an initial glimpse of the company's newest motion capture studio.
The Sony XYN headphones
Sony has established itself in the virtual reality market with its PlayStation VR series, so the launch of a new headset could catch some off guard. Nevertheless, the Sony XYN headset is not intended for everyday users; it is tailored specifically for creators engaged in the development of 3D spatial content.
Featuring cutting-edge 4K OLED microdisplays and sophisticated video see-through technology, the XYN headset offers content creators an unparalleled immersive experience in 3D environments. This innovation simplifies the process of engaging with and adjusting 3D models within a platform specifically designed for spatial content creation.
The headset is designed to be lightweight and comfortable, making it perfect for prolonged use — particularly for creators who spend long hours working. However, it's worth mentioning that the Sony XYN is currently in the prototype stage. For example, Sony has suggested that the controllers are expected to receive a total redesign before the final product is launched.
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XYN Spatial Collection
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While the Sony XYN headset certainly received attention, Sony's XYN Spatial Collection solution was the real standout at CES.
This innovative tool allows users to easily create 3D models of real-world objects. The XYN Spatial Collection solution can transform those images into photorealistic 3D CG assets by simply taking a few photos with a mirrorless camera.
It was truly captivating to observe the effortless integration of the XYN headset and Spatial capture. With this combination, you can photograph a physical object, transform it into a 3D model, and then engage with that model in virtual reality, all in a smooth and efficient process.
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Sony is in the process of developing a mobile application that will empower creators to utilize their smartphone cameras for similar purposes, offering greater flexibility and accessibility in the realm of 3D content creation.
XYN Motion Studio
Among the three products that Sony introduced in its new XYN line, XYN Motion Studio stood out as my absolute favorite.
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Sony has introduced a motion capture solution known as mocopi, which consists of 3D motion capture sensors designed to be worn on the body for tracking movements. In addition to this, Sony has advanced its XYN Motion Studio by providing comprehensive motion capture studio software to enhance the user experience.
The XYN Motion Studio employs 12 mocopi sensors to track and combine the user's movements within an all-encompassing editing platform. This allows creators to refine these movements and apply them to their selected 3D models, granting them meticulous control over the animated sequences they capture.
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The application aims to simplify motion capture for content creators in fields such as animation, gaming, and virtual production. It enables users to leverage this sophisticated technology without the requirement of a large, physical motion capture facility.
One of the standout aspects of XYN Motion Studio is its capability to bridge motion gaps. For example, if the mocopi sensors fail to capture a particular movement during a 3D model's running animation, the software can cleverly create a lifelike motion that aligns with adjacent movements, effectively completing the absent segment. This functionality enhances the motion-capture experience, reducing the dependence on flawless, continuous tracking.
