Google's annual Google I/O developer conference kicks off this week and ahead of the event whispers have emerged that the firm plans to unwrap a standalone VR headset. Now, this isn't the first time we've heard of a standalone VR headset from Google.

Following the launch of the Google Daydream View VR headset, rumours emerged that Google was planning a standalone VR headset that wouldn't require a smartphone, PC, or console to operate; it would carry its own processing power and software capable of running VR applications. 

Turns out those rumours were true... 

Google’s DayDream View headset was kind of a proof of concept for Google, a means of showing the world that you could do VR on a budget (and with a phone). Daydream View, however, is limited by the phone inside it – and this isn’t ideal.

For this reason, Google has built a dedicated VR headset that will run by itself, without the need for a PC or smartphone. Google confirmed the existence of these standalone head-mounted displays (HMDs) at Google I/O 2017.

The first standalone unit is a, so far unnamed product from Lenovo. Google worked in cahoots with Qualcomm to create this new VR platform and experience, so expect these HMDs to run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 platform.

“The hardware is fully optimized for VR,” said Google, “and features a new headset tracking technology called WorldSense. WorldSense enables positional tracking, meaning the headset tracks your precise movements in space – and it does this all without any external sensors to install.”

BIG Updates For Google Tango (AKA Google’s AR Plans)

Google isn’t just betting big on VR; that’d be crazy. Like all mega corporations and rich-guys, it is hedging its bets. AR is also something Google is interested (and heavily invested) in too.

Google’s AR technology is called Google Tango. You might have heard about it before, as Google has been working on it in the open for a few years now.

“With Tango,” said Google, “devices can track motion and understand distances and their position in the real world. For VR, we’ve used technology from Tango as the foundation of WorldSense. For AR, it can be used to enable smartphone AR experiences by placing digital objects in real spaces. The next phone with Tango technology will be the ASUS ZenFone AR, available this summer.”

Visual Positioning Service (Google Thinks Its A BIG Deal)

One way Google hopes to make Tango super innovative is with its new Visual Positioning Service technology (VPS), which basically helps devices quickly and accurately understand their location inside buildings and structures.

“While GPS is great for getting you to the storefront,” said Google, “with VPS your device can direct you right to the item you’re looking for once inside.”

It added: “VPS works today in partner museums and select Lowe’s stores. We think VPS will be powerful in a variety of scenarios. For instance, imagine how precise location enabled by VPS, combined with audio interfaces, could help visually-impaired people navigate through the world.”

Basically, the bottom line is this: Google has massive plans for both the AR and VR space in 2017/18.

So watch this space…