HP Z VR Backpack Takes Wearable PCs Into The Business World
VR and AR are two of the biggest growth areas in computing today. So far, much of that growth has been focused on gaming, like the new Lenovo and Disney tie up for Star Wars AR content. The future will also see wider use of VR and AR in the workplace. To support this business use of VR hardware, HP has announced a new wearable computer called the HP Z VR Backpack PC.
The wearable VR rig is designed from the ground up to break workers free of wires and tethers so they can move around crowded locations without restrictions. The systems are meant for all sorts of business uses from demonstrations to training new employees. The HP VR Backpack G1 Workstation is both a cordless wearable PC and a desktop PC when placed into an available docking station.
HP says that the machine has enough power to be used for creating content and a wearable machine to validate the creation in the virtual and augmented reality worlds. The computer runs Windows 10 Pro and the backpack for carrying the PC weighs in at 10.25 pounds. With VR, you need graphics muscle and HP fits the machine with the latest NVIDIA Quadro P5200 GPU paired with 16GB of video memory. Users can then choose to add their own HTC Vive or Oculus Rift VR headset. HP does have its own display solution with the HTC Vive BE or HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset.
The machine is meant to operate in a professional work environment, and with that in mind HP integrates solutions to work with corporate IT infrastructures with Intel vPro with iAMT, TPM 2.0 security, and a commercial BIOS. The wearable PC is powered by a dual battery system that supports hot-swapping of batteries to keep you working all day. The machine can be connected to an external monitor to allow those around you to watch what you are doing in the VR or AR world via Miracast.
Available processors are from the 7th gen Intel Core family and the PC is fitted with 32GB of dual channel DDR4 RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. With the machine subject to the rigors of working all day on a user's back, HP designed it to pass MIL-STD 810G tests. The backpack harness is made from a mesh material for breathability and comfort.