In Early September Patently Apple posted a patent application report titled “Apple invents an alternative HMD design with a highly configurable display arm that provides movement in at least three degrees of freedom+.” The design of this HMD was certainly an oddball.

Apple noted that the head-wearable apparatus included a highly configurable arm that connects the HMD and the wearable mount. In at least some examples, this highly configurable arm can provide HMD movement in at least three degrees of freedom.” A few of the patent figures of Apple’s patent is presented below.

Last week I stumbled upon the company “GOOVIS” that has a decade of experience in optical science. The company focuses on AR/VR/MR headsets aimed at serving consumers, surgeons and many other industries. You could check out their GOOVIS G3X headset site that includes a brief promo video.

Below are a couple of videos and reviews.  The company is one of the leaders in this form of HMD. Apple’s engineering team decided to at least protect Apple’s long-term Vision product line with a patent on a similar headset, just in case this form of headset gets traction in the market.

Another video could be found here. Other reviews were negative stating that the device was only good for watching TV, Movies and streaming channels but not great for controlling drones or playing games according to this review. While the marketing from GOOVIS claims that their device can be a tool for Surgeons, one of the reviews noted in this report would make that application  an iffy application at best. 

This is where Apple could come in with vastly superior graphics and software – if they even decide to have such an “entry” headset device. For now, we know that devices like the “GOOVIS G3X” headset have caught Apple’s eye and they’ve responded with their first patent on this concept.