Facebook is ceasing sales of its Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets and is voluntarily recalling a portion found in around 4 million devices, the company and federal regulators said.
The affected part of the devices are the “detachable foam facial interfaces” that sit around the eyes and nose of the user and provide a cushion between the headset and their face.
The black device “can cause skin irritation and reactions on the face, including rashes, swelling, burning, itching, hives, and bumps,” according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Facebook is recalling a part found in roughly 4 million Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets.Alamy Stock Photo
The recall comes after the company received more than 5,700 reports of skin irritation related to the device and about 45 reports of users in need of medical attention, according to the CPSC.
The Oculus headsets are among Facebook’s only efforts to break into hardware, and they are part of the social media giant’s foray into virtual reality in preparation for what is known as the “metaverse” that some will have with the next evolution of the Internets have compared.
As a smaller and cheaper alternative to its predecessor, the company launched the Oculus 2 headsets in September, which cost between 300 and 400 US dollars, depending on the storage option.
A detachable foam facial interface in the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset causes a rash on some users.
Andrew Bosworth, head of Facebook Reality Labs, addressed the recall in an open letter to Oculus users on Tuesday.
“As more and more people got into VR with Quest 2, we received reports that a very small percentage of Quest 2 customers experienced skin irritation after using the removable foam facial interface,” Bosworth wrote.
“Although the reporting rate is low and the majority of reported cases are low, we strive to ensure that our products are safe and comfortable for everyone who uses them,” he added.
In December, Facebook confirmed in a blog post that some Oculus 2 users had skin problems and promised to investigate, noted Bosworth.
In April, the company announced that its investigation “found no contaminants or unexpected substances in our manufacturing process,” according to CNN.
However, the investigation also identified “some trace substances that are normally present in the manufacturing process and that can contribute to skin discomfort, and although these were already below industry standards, we cautiously changed our process to reduce them”. further.”
The recall comes after Oculus received more than 5,700 reports of skin irritation related to the VR headset.
Facebook is releasing a silicone case to fix the problem.
Users do not need to return the full headset to the company for repair. Rather, customers can request a free silicone case on Facebook that fits over the foam face interface, Bosworth said.
Once sales of the device resume, the company said it will include the silicone case in the box when it ships.
“The team and I are committed to ensuring the quality of our products and the continued support and success of our developer community, with your safety and comfort a top priority,” said Bosworth on Tuesday. “The free silicone case is part of this commitment.”
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