A Google-backed startup has revealed its highly anticipated flagship product: a pair of goggles that tricks users' into perceiving virtual objects as part of their real-life environment.

The Magic Leap One is a Steampunk-style headset that projects light directly into users' eyes that works with a body-worn computer called a Lightpack and a handheld controller.

The headset tracks eye movements, voice and hand gestures to help a user place virtual objects in real-life settings.

"Place a virtual TV on the wall over your fireplace and when you return later, the TV will be right there where you left it," Magic Leap's website claims.

The hardware, which is believed to retail at $2,000 (£1,500) according to insiders, will ship next year, Magic Leap founder and chief executive Rony Abovitz said.

The Magic Leap Creator headset credit: Magic Leap

The firm has raised close to $1.9bn (£1.4bn) from investors. Its largest backers include Google and the Chinese tech giant Alibaba. Without having launched a product, it has been valued at $6bn.

The notoriously secretive Florida company has kept its headset under wraps for three years since its development was announced, but granted Rolling Stone a preview of its creation.

"One day, this human construct will be your Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, or OK Google, but she won’t just be a disembodied voice. She will walk with you, look to you, deliver AI-powered, embodied assistance," the review gushed.

Critics have questioned whether Magic Leap will be able to deliver on its claims due to the huge amounts of computing power to create lightfield objects, while creating a device small and comfortable enough to wear. It has competition in the shape of Microsoft's Hololens headset, which is available for developers for $3,000.