Former Oculus VR head scientist to join Huawei

Signage for Huawei Technologies Co is displayed at the annual Huawei Global Mobile Broadband (MBB) Forum in Chiba, Japan, Nov 24, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

Steve LaValle, the former chief scientist for Oculus who's now a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said on his Facebook page that he will join Huawei as the chief scientist of VR/AR/MR, in charge of global research and product development.

He Gang, the head of Huawei Technologies' smartphone unit, confirmed to The Paper on Thursday that LaValle will join Huawei. In June, He also said that China lacks VR/AR talents and Huawei plans to recruit top technical experts from across the world.

Steve LaValle. [Photo/Steve LaValle's Facebook]

Oculus, a famous VR equipment maker, was acquired by Facebook in 2014. Steve LaValle started working with Oculus VR in September 2012, and has been the chief scientist of Oculus till January 2015.

He developed head tracking methods based on inertial measurement units (IMUs) and computer vision, led a team of perceptual psychologists, and provided solutions for virtual reality calibration system and user experience comfort design.

He is also a co-inventor of Oculus SDK and helped Oculus develop two core technology patents.

LaValle said Huawei is a global business company, and China a burgeoning VR/AR market.

"Our visions of the future closely align, which is that a holistic approach to VR/AR research and product development is absolutely necessary, and must tightly integrate hardware, software, human perception, and neuroscience," said LaValle.

LaValle also shared a photo on his Facebook page in which he is wearing Huawei's uniform.

Huawei Consumer BG CEO Yu Chengdong also confirmed that LaValle will join Huawei. Yu said he interviewed LaValle in person.

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, one of the world's largest telecom equipment makers, said on Friday it expects to record a 32 percent jump in revenue for 2016, thanks to a strong performance across its business platforms.

The Shenzhen-based company forecasts revenue will reach 520 billion yuan ($74.8 billion), said Xu Zhijun, Huawei rotating chief executive.

Agencies contributed to this story.