Sony SRH-S1 XR headset for CAD professionals: Features advanced micro-OLED displays and intuitive controllers, with February shipping

Sony is set to redefine industrial design workflows with its SRH-S1 standalone XR headset, priced at $4,750 and launching for enterprise customers on January 23. Shipping begins in February.

Unveiled at CES 2024, the SRH-S1 is powered by Qualcomm’s XR2+ Gen 2 chipset and features 3552×3840 micro-OLED displays for crystal-clear visuals. With a colour passthrough camera and a flip-up halo strap, the headset ensures comfort and practicality for professional use. Unlike competitors such as the Apple Vision Pro, Sony includes two controllers—one for pointing and drawing and a ring-worn device for precise 3D object manipulation.

The SRH-S1 is optimised for Siemens’ NX Immersive Engineering CAD software, offering tools like:

• NX Immersive Explorer: A cross-platform solution for design reviews using Siemens’ NX software.
• NX Immersive Designer: Exclusive to Sony’s headset, enabling manipulation and collaboration around 3D models.
• NX Immersive Collaborator: Facilitates co-located and remote design reviews with multiple participants in VR.

At CES 2025, Sony introduced the XYN brand, potentially rebranding the SRH-S1 for a wider audience. XYN appears to target creative industries such as movie production, hinting at a prosumer version in the future. However, details remain unclear, as the Siemens partnership branding continues to dominate the SRH-S1 narrative.

While the steep price may limit accessibility, the SRH-S1 could become a game-changer for industrial CAD workflows and beyond, combining cutting-edge technology with enterprise-level precision.

The SRH-S1’s integration with Siemens’ NX software highlights its potential to streamline CAD workflows, offering enhanced collaboration and real-time interaction with 3D models. As more industries adopt XR technologies for design and prototyping, the headset’s immersive capabilities make it a powerful tool for professionals looking to push the boundaries of innovation. The inclusion of the two controllers further improves user experience, allowing for a more intuitive approach to complex tasks like design manipulation and virtual collaboration.

While the SRH-S1’s $4,750 price tag positions it as a high-end enterprise tool, its specialized features and focus on professional applications justify the investment for CAD professionals and industrial designers. As the technology matures and future iterations of the headset emerge, Sony’s SRH-S1 could become a vital asset for businesses looking to incorporate XR into their product development processes. With the added possibility of a prosumer version under the XYN brand, the SRH-S1 could shape the future of XR in multiple sectors.