New Job Postings Hint Google Developing New Consumer VR Hardware

The advert for a Hardware Engineering Technical Lead Manager details a position that will lead a team in developing consumer electronic devices while leading a system integration of highly-constrained, battery powered and high-performance VR hardware. Fear not, the company’s latest job postings, first spotted by RoadtoVR, give us as array of hints suggesting Google’s future VR plans.

To say that Virtual Reality is the new rage is an understatement. Meanwhile, the PCB layout designer will be responsible for “fast-paced boards for consumer devices” so as to ensure that these “cutting-edge devices are reliable and robust”. Bavor’s stint as the new VR division head is expected to improve the company’s consumer VR devices. This could take the form of a much more advanced handset than the firm’s current Cardboard VR viewer.

As the Hardware Engineering Technical Lead Manager for the consumer hardware products, you will drive the design and execution of our ever increasing product portfolio. At first, the two job titles had “virtual reality” in them, but Google has since replaced that with “consumer hardware”.

The new VR division at Google will bleed by Clay Bavor, who previously headed-up with successful Cardboard scheme. “We want to open new ways to interact with devices and create a natural, seamless interface the world’s information”, the company wrote.

The company’s recent hires and job listings indicate it’s attempting a major AR project, likely in Tandem with Magic Leap. The augmented reality wearable company has not given the public a look at what it’s been working on (other than the very interesting/mysterious YouTube video below) but Google has shown a major interest in its technologies; Google led the company’s massive $542 million Series B in October 2014.

There are many players in this space from well known vendors like Oculus Rift through to companies in the gaming industry like Sony with its Playstation.