HTC is working on an advanced glasses-based VR headset to follow the modular Vive Cosmos.

According to CEO Yves Maitre, the lightweight "Project Proton" system will feel "really, really close to regular glasses."

Project Proton, while more compact than current VR headsets with its slim visor, doesn't exactly capture the vision of the next generation of AR glasses. However, its ostensibly lightweight design could make a case for HTC's efforts to bring mixed reality use cases to its hardware. Furthermore, both devices appear to have a front-facing camera that allows the wearer to see a pass-through view of his or her surroundings.

Rendered images of Project Proton published by Engadget reveal two different versions of the headset: the first is a traditional all-in-one VR headset, with the processing unit mounted on the back of the head strap; the second is an all-in-one VR headset, with the processing unit mounted on the back of the head strap.

The second iteration of Proton looks more like a safety goggle than a VR headset; according to Engadget, this model is designed to be powered by a smartphone or other external source.

We know almost nothing about Project Proton, except what it looks like. Despite some questions yet to be answered, HTC seems to have a realistic outlook on what the next wave of headsets will bring.