MIT breakthrough lets virtual reality gamers cut the chord
Consumers love convenience and by helping to cut the chords on VR headsets MIT's new breakthrough could help speed up the technology's adoption
Key takeaways
- Current virtual reality headsets have to be tethered to a computer because using todays wireless technology it's pretty much impossible to stream 3D video.
- MIT's solution was to use something called Millimeter Wave Wireless Technology (MWWT).
- MoVR is accurate to within 2 degrees, and can redirect waves within a fraction of a second for uninterrupted transmission.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'MIT breakthrough lets virtual reality gamers cut the chord', 311 Institute, 15 November. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/mit-breakthrough-lets-you-dive-into-cordless-vr/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a new technology that lets data be transmitted at much higher speeds than today's off the shelf WiFi products and the technology could be used to help virtual reality headset manufacturers cut the chords.
Current virtual reality headsets have to be tethered to a computer because using todays wireless technology it's pretty much impossible to stream 3D video. There's just too much data to get across. But hooking up a VR headset to a computer makes it difficult to use VR with any sort of freedom, and creates a tripping hazard if you're trying to walk around. It's a hard life...
Some companies, like MSI, have tried to get around the problem by creating a backpack computer but needless to say it's expensive, bulky and only works for one person at a time.
MIT's solution was to use something called Millimeter Wave Wireless Technology (MWWT). Millimeter waves are like the radio waves used in WiFi technology, but are higher frequency and the higher frequency of millimeter waves means they can transmit more information, which makes them well suited for VR.
However, there's a problem. Unlike radio waves, which pass through people and walls as they travel from transmitter to receiver, millimeter waves can be blocked. In a VR setup, this means that if the user turns around or puts their hand in front of the headset, the connection can be interrupted.
To get around this problem, the researchers developed a new technology, called MoVR, that can reflect and redirect millimeter waves so they reach the VR headset no matter what's in the way.
MoVR detects incoming millimeter waves from a transmitter, and uses two directional antennae to reflect it toward the receiver. MoVR is accurate to within 2 degrees, and can redirect waves within a fraction of a second for uninterrupted transmission.
The system was tested with an HTC Vive, but the researchers say it can work with any VR headset. Their next step is to shrink the device so that it's the same size as a smartphone, and then you might be able to play your VR games without worrying about tripping over cables.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Consumers love convenience and by helping to cut the chords on VR headsets MIT's new breakthrough could help speed up the technology's adoption
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- developed a new technology news.mit.edu
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 15 November 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). MIT breakthrough lets virtual reality gamers cut the chord. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/mit-breakthrough-lets-you-dive-into-cordless-vr/
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