PS VR2 Sense controller uses seventeen infrared LEDs for inside-out tracking

Sony has published teardown videos of the PS VR2 and its Sense controllers, showing, among other things, that the controllers use 17 infrared LEDs per controller for inside-out tracking. The virtual reality headset will be released on February 22.

The infrared LEDs are incorporated in the ring part of the Sense controller. Fourteen of these LEDs are in their own detachable part, the three remaining LEDs are incorporated in another, larger part. The seventeen LEDs are not visible during use, but are located under a panel that can transmit infrared light. The headset can see the position and orientation of the controllers with the LEDs. Sony says it has placed the LEDs in such a way that the headset can “accurately” recognize the LEDs, regardless of the direction of the controllers.

The teardown also shows that the controllers have sensors to detect whether the fingers are placed on the controller or not. This should enable gesture control in games. In addition, the video shows that the Sense controllers have a smaller haptic feedback motor than the DualSense controllers.

In a second video, Sony shows a teardown of the PS VR2 headset itself. This also has infrared LEDs, including around the lenses. These LEDs allow the infrared camera to track the user’s eye movements for eye tracking.

The virtual reality headset costs 600 euros and can only be used with PlayStation 5 consoles. The headset will include a screen with a higher resolution of 4000×2040 pixels and a larger field of view. Although Sony now shows how the headset and controllers can be taken apart, the company emphasizes that users should not do this themselves.