NVIDIA CloudXR Allows Hi-Fi XR Streaming via 5G Networks

Immersive experiences are now one step closer to the user and away from cumbersome cables. With the new SDK kit recently launched by NVIDIA, companies can use 5G and enterprise networks for tetherless XR streaming to Windows and Android devices.

NVIDIA CloudXR – Making Technology Simpler and More Powerful

Thanks to NVIDIA CloudXR SDK kit, users will be able to enjoy VR, AR, and MR experiences at the highest definition of graphics and sound on head-mounted devices or mobile devices. They will have complete freedom of movement to explore the virtual environment, because they won’t need to connect their devices to a computer by cables.

This is possible thanks to the widespread access to high-speed 5G and enterprise networks. With NVIDIA CloudXR, any lightweight 5G-enabled mobile device becomes capable of XR streaming at professional quality. Thus, the new SDK kit has the potential to transform various industries, from manufacturing and industrial design, to education and entertainment.

How Is XR Streaming Possible in Hi-Fi for Tetherless Devices?

CloudXR uses the powerful NVIDIA RTX GPUs and provides a virtual HMD driver that allows the VR/AR application to perceive the end device (HMD or smartphone) as a locally connected device.

The CloudXR server driver receives each image frame from the application and then encodes it and transfers it to the CloudXR Client App. Hence, there is no loss in image or sound quality, even if the transmission comes from a long distance.

Who Stands to Benefit From the New Tetherless XR Streaming Capability?

NVIDIA CloudXR is designed to meet telco standards in terms of security, manageability and capacity to support multiple users. Thus, it can become a game-changer for enterprise data centers, telecommunication platforms as well as consumer platforms.

From architecture firms to game developers, healthcare units to engineering, and industrial design, a wide range of companies can enjoy a better way to work. Free from cables, but without compromising on graphics quality, designers and engineers can work more efficiently on virtual models of various objects.

What NVIDIA CloudXR Consists Of

The SDK kit comprises of three powerful tools for developers:

• CloudXR Server Driver containing the binaries and libraries for the server-side;
• CloudXR Client App – the sample application specific to each operating system;
• CloudXR Client SDK containing the binaries and libraries specific to the operating system.

As a basic requirement for the CloudXR Server Driver, the client must have servers running Windows 10 or higher and equipped with NVIDIA GeForce, Quadro or Tesla products with Pascal or latest-generation GPUs.

Compatible End Devices for NVIDIA CloudXR

The tetherless XR streaming experience is available for both head-mounted displays and Android phones that support Google ARCore. The supported HMDs are:

• OpenVR enabled devices tethered to NVIDIA Pascal or NVIDIA Turing based GPU (such as VIVE Pro and Valve Index);
• Untethered Android-based devices (Oculus Quest, GearVR).

As for other HMD producers, they can use CloudXR Client SDK to create APKs tailored to their devices. As for iOS devices, there is no information, at the moment, whether the SDK will be expanded to include Apple smartphones and tablets.

How Can Companies Access NVIDIA CloudXR?

Interested stakeholders can apply for access to the SDK kit here. At the moment, eligible users include:

• Telco providers;
• Network integrators;
• HMD manufacturers;
• Enterprise users or IT managers;
• Independent software vendors.