In a recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, shared a virtual typing demonstration where he achieved a typing speed of 119 words per minute.
At the same time, Mark Zuckerberg recently showcased a “virtual keyboard” through a video on Instagram, including an on-the-spot typing race. Reality Labs developers demonstrated virtual typing by tapping on a desktop surface using computer vision and MR functions from the headset, rendering a physical keyboard unnecessary.
Bosworth Bests Zuckerberg
While Zuckerberg reached a typing speed of 100 words per minute, Bosworth emerged as the winner with an impressive typing speed of nearly 120 words per minute.
Bosworth reported achieving a typing speed of 119 words per minute with an accuracy rate of 98.9%. Overcoming mental barriers and adapting to this method led to this remarkable speed.
Breaking the 119 words per minute barrier on a virtual keyboard is a remarkable feat. Meta recently introduced a sliding keyboard for Quest users that works well with the controller. However, rapid hand movements affect accuracy.
Consider that the average person using a physical keyboard types at a speed of 38-40 words per minute, equivalent to about 190-200 characters. Achieving such tracking accuracy on a virtual keyboard is impressive.
MR Keyboard Won’t Hit the Market Yet
Currently, there are no details about upgrading this MR Keyboard demo into a consumer product. Notably, the Reality Labs demonstration utilizes the Quest 2 headset, but the tethering suggests a computer connection requirement.Before launching this MR Keyboard on the Quest platform, Meta might need to refine the technology for native operation. It remains uncertain if the Quest 2’s XR2 chip can handle such high speeds. Perhaps the Quest Pro XR2+ or the upcoming Quest 3 could meet this challenge.
