New Facebook Reality Labs to develop next-gen AR/VR products

The social networking giant has renamed its augmented reality/virtual reality (AR-VR) team as Facebook Reality Labs as the company starts building the next-gen computing platform for deeper immersive experiences. Previously, Facebook Reality Labs was the name given to its research division, which had historically been known as Oculus Research.

The company on Tuesday announced to organize its annual conference 'Facebook Connect' virtually on September 16 and will be free for everyone to attend. "Our research teams have helped establish Facebook Reality Labs as a pioneer in the AR/VR space as we work to deliver the next computing platform," said Andrew Bosworth, Head of Facebook Reality Labs. Facebook's work in AR/VR spans a number of breakthrough technologies like Oculus headsets that let people defy distance with cutting-edge VR hardware, while Portal helps friends and families stay connected and share the moments that matter in meaningful ways.

'Spark AR' powers immersive experiences for Facebook's apps and devices. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion in 2014. "Rather than distracting us and taking us away from the people around us, tomorrow's AR and VR devices will melt away, letting us connect and be truly present with the people and moments that matter most," Bosworth said.

The Facebook Reality Labs is building the entire stack, including hardware and software, so privacy is baked into its design process from the beginning, Facebook said. At 'Facebook Connect,' viewers can experience keynotes from leaders and industry visionaries to hear about the latest innovations in AR/VR and join immersive developer sessions.