Valve is finally inserting themselves into the VR arms race, and this time it’s not through another company.
Previously, Valve was partnered with HTC to produce the HTC Vive, but as time went on Valve and HTC’s relations got a little rocky to say the least. Valve has already been working on their own VR controllers, the Knuckles, for quite some time now, but their hasn’t been any release date for consumer mentioned for the year they’ve been in development.
Well now Valve is bringing their own headset into the mix as well, and its teaser image alone should create some buzz.

Judging from its teaser image alone the Index supports physical IPD adjustment. This means users with eyes further apart or closer together can adjust the lenses to make their experience comfortable using the slider mounted on the bottom/top of the Index.
The Rift S controversially removed this feature in favor of a simpler headset that supports only software based IPD adjustment. Because of this change, even Oculus Co-Founder Palmer Luckey can’t use the Rift S.
“Everyone who fits Cinderella’s shoe will get a perfect experience, anyone close will deal with minor eyestrain problems that impact their perception of VR at a mostly subconscious level. Everyone else is screwed, including me.”
The picture also seems to indicate the Valve Index may have some sort of inside out tracking on the headset.
According to an email response from Valve’s Gabe Newell, the Index will also have multiple bundles available for those who already have an HTC Vive and want to use its lighthouses.
This could mean that the Valve Index could be using a combination of Inside-out tracking and Lighthouse based tracking, or it could also mean it is interchangeable between the two.
Either way, it looks like we’re going to have to wait until May for more info on the Index.