Intel Corp. has entered the burgeoning virtual reality (VR) space with Project Alloy, an all-in-one wireless VR headset.

Project Alloy delivers what Intel describes as new immersive experiences due to the company’s RealSense technologies that are optimize for VR usage, including most notably, compared to its competitors such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, an untethered experience that doesn’t include cords dangling from the headset.

The computing power for the headset is located inside the Head-Mounted Device (HMD) itself, delivering a cordless experience that includes free range motion, and is combined with collision detection and avoidance so a user doesn’t actually walk into something and injures themselves.

Interestingly the headset, through the use of Intel’s RealSense technology, allows users to use their hands to interact with elements inside a virtual world without the use of a controller or hand attachment. Put simply, the headset itself tracks the movements of a user’s hand.

“The Alloy HMD is an example of how Intel’s suite of sensing and computing technologies, such as Intel RealSense technology, are being made available to developers, makers and inventors to deliver the future of immersive experiences,” Intel explained in an announcement post.

Intel added that it would also be collaborating with Microsoft to optimize Windows-based content and experiences on Intel-based VR devices in the future.

Open source

Interestingly while Intel has launched Project Alloy with a working prototype, the company itself may never actually bring it to market and instead will allow hardware makers to create devices that use its design, along with Microsoft Holographic by making the hardware specs open source.

The shout out to Microsoft Holographic isn’t coincidental either; Project Alloy is being described as “merged reality” device given that it combines VR technology with augmented reality delivering the best of both worlds.

“Merged reality goes beyond computer-generated content. It’s about bringing the real physical world into the digital world real time — and reimagining it with computing power,” Intel Chief Executive Officer Brian Krzanich explained in a blog post on Medium. “Rather than a single point of view, advancements like Intel’s Replay 360-degree technologies use encoded video and advanced composition algorithms captured from an array of cameras to digitize whole playing fields and venues — from any position, from any point of view, and with an enhanced ability to interact.”

“This is a game changer for the entire category of virtual and augmented reality,” he added. “You choose the experience, and you get to navigate real-world content in new ways.”

The specs for Project Alloy will be open sourced in 2017.