HTC Vive senior designer Claude Zellweger joins Google

This article originally appeared on our sister site, VR Source.

Claude Zellweger, a senior designer who recently worked on the HTCVive, has announced his departure from HTCto join Google. Zellweger, who delivered the news via Twitter, will go on to support Google’s VR platform Daydream.

In a statement to The Verge regarding Zellweger’s departure, HTCsaid:

“HTC can confirm that Claude Zellweger has left the Company. We appreciate his considerable contribution to HTC, and wish him well in his future endeavors. HTCcontinues to invest in talent and recruitment as part of our broader strategy to ensure the continued strength and integrity of the Company’s organizational structure.”

Born in Switzerland, Zellweger joined HTCas a designer in 2008 and was involved with the design of the HTCOne smartphone series, before his focus shifted from phones to VR in the last few years with the HTCVive.

Google, which now also has its own fully-fledged VR headset product, the Daydream View, may be looking to Zellweger for support with upcoming hardware, perhaps a second generation Daydream View.

In related news, it was revealed today that former Xiaomi global vice president Hugo Barra would join Facebook to lead its VR team. It seems now’s the time to join Silicon Valley’s VR push.