Huawei releases prototype for cloud VR-enabled integrated home gateway

[Shenzhen, China, December 1, 2017] Huawei recently launches a prototype for its integrated home gateway (HGW). This prototype supports Cloud VR services. A new type of integrated home gateway, the Cloud VR HGW has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of Cloud VR, making high quality VR more affordable for home users.

Currently, to experience high-quality VR services at home, users must purchase expensive hosts or high-end computers. High costs are a major factor hampering the widespread adoption of VR services. With new technologies, the powerful computing and rendering capabilities of the cloud platform free users from needing expensive computers. Users need only dedicated devices to access to the Cloud VR system and to enjoy high-quality VR contents. HGWs that support Cloud VR services are essential for Cloud VR service deployment.

Important conditions for immersive VR experience include 100M or higher bandwidth, low latency, and high stability. Also important on HGWs are rendering and fast encoding and decoding capabilities. The Huawei Cloud VR-enabled integrated HGW prototype is designed for home VR services of the future. It supports cloud rendering, as well as fast encoding and decoding, and rendering on HGWs, ultra-broadband 10GPON uplinks, and Gigabit access. The inclusion of decoding and rendering capabilities on the HGW lowers the cost of VR services by around 60%.

The Cloud VR-enabled integrated HGW prototype

Huawei iLab is an ultra-broadband network innovation lab. It believes that as technology and industry develop, Cloud VR will find its way into millions of homes. Cloud VR-enabled integrated HGWs meet high requirements for network transmission and bandwidth access, while significantly lowering costs.

At Ultra-Broadband Forum 2017, Huawei released the VR OpenLab industry cooperation plan. This plan is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of the Cloud VR industry, facilitating technological innovation, incubating commercial scenarios, and creating a comprehensive ecosystem for the Cloud VR industry.