HTC Vive is a series of virtual and mixed reality headsets made by HTC Corporation. The brand includes headsets that connect to personal computers and standalone models, such as the Vive Focus line, Vive Flow glasses, and the Vive Elite XR headset.

In 2015, HTC and Valve Corporation partnered to develop the first Vive headset. This model used SteamVR, a VR software and hardware platform from Valve, and was released to consumers in April 2016. Later models with improved features have replaced it. HTC also created accessories that work with the Vive and SteamVR, such as sensors for motion and facial capture.

Since 2021, HTC has focused on selling the Vive line to businesses and companies, rather than to individual consumers.

Development

In 2014, early versions of a virtual reality system made by Valve were shown to the public. On February 23, 2015, Valve introduced SteamVR and said it would display a "SteamVR hardware system" at the 2015 Game Developers Conference. On March 1, 2015, HTC officially introduced its device, called Vive, during a keynote speech at the Mobile World Congress.

At the Immersed 2015 conference, Phil Chen, HTC’s Chief Content Officer, stated that he "stumbled upon VR" and later met Valve, which he described as "serendipity." He also explained that HTC and Valve do not have clear separate roles in their work together, and that HTC actively participates in the research and development process.

History

At the Mobile World Congress speech, HTC and Valve shared plans to release a version of their product for regular customers by the end of 2015. In December 2015, HTC said the release would be delayed until April 2016. At International CES in January 2016, HTC and Valve showed an almost-final version of the device, called the HTC Vive Pre. Preorders began on 29 February 2016, and the product started shipping in April. In March, Valve and HTC said they would give free development models of the Vive to game developers who signed up online.

In June 2016, HTC announced a special version of the Vive called the 'Business Edition' priced at US$1,200. This version included a Professional Use License, a 12-month Commercial Warranty, access to a special support line, a 5-meter (16 ft) cable extension kit, and the Deluxe Audio Strap.

In January 2018, HTC released an updated version of the Vive called the Vive Pro. This version had a higher-resolution display and other design changes for better comfort. In 2019, HTC introduced the Vive Cosmos, which used inside-out motion tracking without needing external base stations. It also allowed users to switch between faceplates that had different functions.

Hardware

The HTC Vive uses a type of virtual reality called "room-scale," which allows users to move freely within a play area instead of staying in one place. The headset and controllers use a system that tracks their position. This system includes several base stations placed around the play area. Each base station has LED lights and two infrared lasers attached to spinning parts that sweep the area vertically and horizontally with timed pulses, similar to how a lighthouse works. These base stations are sometimes called "lighthouses." The headset, controllers, and other devices have photosensors that detect the LED lights and compare their timing with the laser sweeps to determine their 3D position.

The first version of the HTC Vive headset includes two OLED display panels, each with a resolution of 1080×1200 per eye. It has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a field of view of 110 degrees. The headset also includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and a front-facing camera. The camera helps with the "Chaperone" feature, which shows the boundaries of the play area or the camera's view to help users avoid obstacles and walls.

To use the Vive, the headset must connect to a compatible PC through a device called a "link box," which has USB 3.0, HDMI, and power ports. The Vive originally required computers running Microsoft Windows. In February 2017, support for Linux was added, followed by support for macOS in June 2017. However, SteamVR support for macOS was stopped by Valve in 2020, as the company decided to focus only on Linux and Windows.

The Vive uses motion controllers called "wands," which have circular trackpads like the Steam Controller, a side "grip" button, a trigger, and an infrared sensor ring for tracking. These controllers last about six hours on a single charge. Later versions of the wands use SteamVR 2.0 tracking and are colored blue to match the Vive Pro.

The Vive Cosmos comes with different controllers because it uses inside-out tracking. These controllers are designed similarly to the Oculus Touch controllers. Each has two face buttons, an analog stick, a trigger, a bumper, and a grip button.

Games and software

Most HTC Vive headsets use the SteamVR platform, which allows them to work with all games and software that are compatible with SteamVR. HTC also runs its own store called Viveport, which offers a service that requires a monthly payment for unlimited access to selected games. Additionally, Viveport has special sections designed for businesses like entertainment centers and offices.

In 2022, HTC introduced a new platform called Viverse. This platform is meant to combine platforms from HTC and other companies for use in the metaverse, virtual reality, teamwork, and Web3.

Product lines

On January 8, 2018, HTC introduced the HTC Vive Pro, an improved version of the first-generation Vive. It includes higher-quality screens with a resolution of 1440×1600 per eye, a 78% increase from the original. It also has a second camera facing outward, a microphone for noise analysis, and a redesigned headpiece that is lighter, more balanced, and includes a strap with over-ear headphones and a sizing dial (similar to the "Deluxe Audio Strap" accessory for the first model). The Vive Pro uses DisplayPort for connecting to displays instead of HDMI.

The Vive Pro was sold alongside the original Vive as a high-end option. Initially, it was sold without base stations or controllers, as it was meant to replace the original Vive directly. Later, HTC released bundles with base stations and controllers. The "Starter Kit" included original controllers and base stations, while the "Full Kit" featured updated SteamVR 2.0 base stations and controllers, which improved performance and tracking area (up to 10 square meters) but could not work with the original Vive headset or controllers.

In January 2019 at CES, HTC introduced the Vive Pro Eye, which includes built-in eye-tracking technology. On May 11, 2021, HTC launched the Vive Pro 2, which upgraded screens to 2448×2448 resolution per eye (marketed as 5K), a 120-degree field of view, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and support for Display Stream Compression. HTC claimed the screens had "minimal motion blur" and "virtually eliminated" the screen-door effect. The Vive Pro 2 works with existing HTC Vive and SteamVR accessories. It was first sold as a standalone headset, and the "Full Kit" version began shipping in October 2021.

The Vive Focus is a line of standalone headsets that do not require a computer to operate. It targets the business market and competes with Meta Quest.

The first-generation Vive Focus used a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 system-on-chip and included input options such as a small remote-like controller or motion controllers with three degrees of freedom. It was first released in China and launched internationally in November 2018. In February 2019, HTC released the Vive Focus Plus, an updated version with motion controllers supporting six degrees of freedom and improved weight distribution.

In May 2021, HTC unveiled the Vive Focus 3, which uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 system-on-chip, has a 2448×2448 resolution per eye at 90 Hz, a 120-degree field of view, and improved comfort. It supports Vive Business Streaming for playing VR content from a computer. In September 2024, HTC released the Vive Focus Vision, an updated version of the Focus 3 with an improved strap and cooling system, 12 GB of RAM, 16-megapixel color passthrough cameras, foveated rendering support, and DisplayPort over USB-C. A wired PC tethering update for 120 Hz was planned for the end of the year. The Vive Focus Vision works with accessories designed for the Focus 3.

At CES 2019, HTC announced the Vive Cosmos, which began shipping on October 3, 2019.

Like the Oculus Quest and Rift S, the Vive Cosmos uses "inside-out" tracking, which means the controllers are tracked using six cameras on the front of the headset instead of external base stations. Because of this, the Vive Cosmos does not use the wand controllers from other Vive models and includes a different controller similar to the second-generation Oculus Touch controllers.

The Vive Cosmos has a 90 Hz liquid-crystal display (LCD) with a 110-degree field of view and an overall resolution of 2880×1700. It supports interchangeable faceplates that change its functionality, such as an External Tracking faceplate (for use with SteamVR base stations). The faceplate can be lifted like a visor, allowing users to see the outside world without removing the headset.

It uses a software platform called Vive Reality System instead of SteamVR, with a "Lens" user interface and integration with HTC's Viveport platform. In February 2020, HTC announced three new Vive Cosmos models: the Cosmos Elite (a full kit with the External Tracking faceplate, controllers, and base stations), the Cosmos XR (which includes a faceplate with "high-quality XR passthrough cameras" for mixed reality), and the Cosmos Play (an entry-level model with four cameras on the faceplate).

In October 2021, HTC introduced the Vive Flow, a lightweight standalone headset with a visor-like design worn like glasses. It has a 75 Hz LCD with a 100-degree field of view and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 processor. The Vive Focus requires an external power supply (such as a USB power bank) with limited battery backup. It supports inside-out tracking and uses an Android smartphone as a pointer and touchpad instead of a dedicated controller. Apps from the paired smartphone can be mirrored in the VR environment. The Vive Flow is designed for "stationary" experiences, such as multimedia and 360-degree video, and includes a version of the Viveport subscription service focused on such apps. Its lenses also support dioptre adjustment for users who wear glasses.

At CES 2023, HTC announced the Vive XR Elite, a goggle-like, standalone mixed reality headset similar to the Meta Quest Pro. It has a 90 Hz LCD with a 110-degree field of view and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 system-on-chip. It includes depth sensors and color passthrough for augmented reality, lenses that support dioptre adjustment, and a removable, hot-swappable battery pack on its rear strap. The headset can be used with a traditional headstrap or a glasses frame similar to the Vive Flow (with an external power supply). Eye tracking and face tracking accessories are also available.

Hardware and accessories

HTC Vive headsets support several accessories that enhance their functionality.

• Vive Tracker: This is a motion tracking device that can be attached to physical objects or body parts to track their movement using base stations. It has a connector that allows it to communicate with the item it is attached to. When it was first released, the Vive Tracker was sold separately and also included with accessories and games, such as the Hyper Blaster (a light gun-style controller) and a racquet for sports games. By 2021, there had been three different versions of the Vive Tracker, each improving battery life and tracking performance. The Vive Ultimate Tracker is a similar device for the Focus 3 and XR Elite headsets. It uses inside-out tracking, which does not require external base stations.

• Deluxe Audio Strap: In June 2017, HTC released the Deluxe Audio Strap as a replacement for the original Vive headset’s head strap. It includes built-in over-ear speakers (similar to those on the first-generation Oculus Rift) and padding to help distribute weight and increase comfort.

• Vive Wireless Adapter: This accessory, released in September 2018, allows the original Vive and Vive Pro headsets to operate without wires by using a battery pack and transmitter with V band WiGig technology. In November 2016, HTC also introduced a third-party wireless kit for the Vive called TPCast. This was developed by a startup that received support through the Vive X program.

• Vive Facial Tracker: In March 2021, HTC launched the Vive Facial Tracker. This accessory attaches to the headset and uses infrared cameras to capture facial movements. It can be used in applications like social worlds and can work with eye-tracking systems on compatible models.

• aGlass Lenses: These are alternate eyepieces created by 7invensun as part of the Vive X program. They add eye-tracking support to the headset.

The Vive headset also works with other SteamVR-compatible controllers and accessories, such as the Index Controllers.

Adoption

Valve released a new software development kit called OpenVR. This kit is an updated version of its Steamworks VR API. It includes documentation and examples that show how to create software that works with SteamVR hardware. The kit supports the HTC Vive Developer Edition, including the SteamVR controller and Lighthouse tracking system.

SteamVR was launched with support for Unity, a game development platform.

On April 30, 2015, Epic Games announced that it would support Valve’s SteamVR technology. This allowed developers to create VR projects using Unreal Engine 4 for the HTC Vive. Epic stated that SteamVR is fully integrated into Unreal Engine 4, working with both visual scripting tools and native code. This means developers can build projects without needing programmer help if needed. Epic’s Showdown tech demo is already available on SteamVR using the Vive headset.

In July 2016, the VR news website Road to VR used data from the Steam VR platform to estimate that about 100,000 Vive headsets had been sold since launch. In the same month, SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI), a computer vision company, added its eye tracking technology to the HTC Vive. This turned the Vive into a tool for eye tracking in research and professional settings. In November 2016, HTC announced that it would start selling its headsets in retail stores in Australia, including JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman.

On November 23, 2016, HTC announced that the Vive was sold at a profit and that sales had reached "much higher" than 140,000 units.

Since the Vive’s launch, HTC has focused more on the business market than on prosumer or gaming markets. The Vive Focus 3, for example, was developed with input from enterprise customers. Vive General Manager Dan O'Brien said that the consumer market has moved toward low prices that only one company can sustain (referring to Facebook Inc.). He added that the enterprise and professional market is growing and offers opportunities for HTC to provide valuable solutions. In 2024, the Vive Focus Vision shifted some focus back to the gaming market, with HTC promoting these changes as appealing to gamers.