Gross sales of the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset are on maintain as Fb rolls out a brand new silicone cowl for the unique foam interface that’s inflicting pores and skin irritation for some customers.
The US Client Product Security Fee (CPSC) this week recalled some 4 million detachable foam facial interfaces, which have been linked to pores and skin circumstances together with rashes, swelling, burning, itching, hives, and bumps. In response, Fb is introducing a brand new silicone cowl that matches over the offending foam. Beginning Aug. 24, all Oculus Quest 2 headsets will include the polymer casing, whereas present Quest 2 or Match Pack homeowners can even request a free cowl on-line.
“We took the pores and skin irritation experiences very significantly as quickly as we discovered about them and, starting in December, we promptly carried out a radical investigation together with receiving recommendation from main dermatologists and toxicologists,” Andrew Bosworth, head of Fb Actuality Labs, wrote in a weblog announcement.
Oculus reported receiving complaints of pores and skin irritation from “about 0.01%” of Quest 2 customers (roughly 5,716 accounts, in response to the CPSC). “Whereas the overwhelming majority of circumstances are delicate and circumstances ought to resolve on their very own, this does not meet our excessive requirements for purchasers expertise,” the agency stated late final 12 months.
Much like different frequent headgear—bike helmets, ski goggles, glasses—VR headsets could cause occasional pores and skin irritation, in response to Oculus, which blamed “substances launched through the manufacturing course of or reactions between supplies within the headset and cosmetics or skincare merchandise.”
An April replace confirmed that whereas the corporate “didn’t discover any contamination or sudden substances” throughout manufacturing, it did establish “a couple of hint substances which are usually current within the manufacturing course of which may contribute to pores and skin discomfort.” Oculus has since lowered “already low” ranges of these substances.
When Quest 2 goes again on sale subsequent month, the Fb subsidiary will debut a 128GB SKU—out there for $299 with silicone cowl. The brand new customary will change the 64GB headsets.
