HTC VIVE upgrades ecosystem

by MaddOx
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HTC VIVE, the leader in premium virtual reality (VR), today announced the next evolution of the VIVE Tracker ecosystem, with the launch of the new VIVE Tracker 3.0, and the VIVE Facial Tracker.

HTC has consistently set the industry standard, and this third generation of the HTC VIVE Tracker is even more versatile with up to 75% increased battery life, 15% reduction in weight, and 33% smaller footprint than the previous generation VIVE Trackers. The highly acclaimed VIVE Tracker has a strong track record across a wide range of industries from TV/film production, sports rehabilitation and training, medical use, enterprise training, and full-body tracking for VR avatars, allowing seamless integration of physical objects in extended reality. The new VIVE Tracker 3.0 will be available in EMEA starting March 10 for £129/€139.

HTC also announced the commercial availability of the HTC VIVE Facial Tracker. Tracking 38 facial movements across the lips, jaw, teeth, tongue, chin, and cheeks, the VIVE Facial Tracker provides an accurate real-time depiction of almost the entirety of the lower facial area in VR. The new VIVE Facial Tracker will be available in EMEA starting March 10 for £129/€139.

“The VR community has unlimited creativity and we’ve seen the VIVE Tracker everywhere from industrial use, film production, to sports, gaming, and more. With a sleeker design and even longer battery life, the new VIVE Tracker 3.0 is even more versatile,” said Graham Wheeler, General Manager of HTC EMEA, “And with the new VIVE Facial Tracker, it’s easier than ever to create ultra-realistic characters.”

NEXT GENERATION HTC VIVE TRACKER

Based on feedback from developer communities, HTC’s newest VIVE Tracker is smaller, lighter, and has improved battery life when compared to the previous generation VIVE Tracker. A single charge gives up to seven hours of continuous use, with the same sub-millimeter tracking precision and 240 degree FOV tracking all in a smaller package. By decreasing the overall footprint of the device while prolonging battery capacity, users can experience a heightened level of immersion as their tracked objects blend more realistically into their digital reality.

The new VIVE Tracker 3.0 is fully backwards compatible with previous generations. Maintaining the same Pogo pin and mounting layout as the original VIVE Tracker, the newest VIVE Tracker allows for easy integration into current solutions. The VIVE Tracker 3.0 is fully compatible with SteamVR 2.0 and 1.0 tracking and all SteamVR-based headsets. Starting March 10, the VIVE Tracker 3.0 will be available to purchase from vive.com, and participating retailers Scan, Amazon and Overclockers UK. 

HTC has led the industry in VR tracking technology, introducing the first generation VIVE Tracker in 2017. Since then, developers have built countless compatible applications that have expanded the capabilities of VR. Due to its precision tracking accuracy and its accessibility, the VIVE Tracker has been deployed across use cases from medical simulations and virtual Hollywood productions to first responder and elite sports training. The versatile design has also led to a proliferation of compatible accessories for the location-based entertainment and home experience segments. 

Link to buy HTC VIVE Trackers 3.0 here – https://www.vive.com/uk/accessory/tracker3/

HTC VIVE Tracker 3.0 - Full-body tracking - Man and Robot

VIVE FACIAL TRACKER

HTC VIVE also announced the commercialization of the VIVE Facial Tracker, which seamlessly tracks 38 facial movements across the lips, jaw, teeth, tongue, chin, and cheeks giving an accurate real-time depiction of almost the entirety of the lower facial area in VR. The dual camera solution features 60Hz tracking rate with sub-10ms response time and an IR illuminator, ensuring accurate high-performance, responsive tracking in even the darkest conditions. The VIVE Facial Tracker simply sticks to the VIVE Pro HMD, allowing a quick and easy set-up. 

Combining the VIVE Facial Tracker, VIVE Tracker and the VIVE Pro Eye, HTC provides the most realistic, accurate, and accessible head-to-toe tracking solution for VR. The VIVE Facial Tracker is compatible with the VIVE Pro series of virtual reality systems and will be available for purchase on March 10 on VIVE.com.

Like to buy HTC VIVE Facial Tracker here –  https://vive.com/uk/accessory/facial-tracker/

HTC VIVE Facial Tracker - being worn by female

VR Motion Learning Case Study

Practice makes perfect and in a sport like tennis, every millimetre of precision counts. VR Motion Learning looked to rethink how people train and play for fun, especially when there isn’t always a full tennis court around.  

The company saw that motion tracking in VR was the perfect solution, with accurate movements and lightweight hardware. Attaching an HTC VIVE Mini-Tracker to a tennis racquet, and combining it with their bespoke physics engines, the team saw they could deliver almost real-time feedback on each shot played, helping to improve technique and muscle memory, as well as developing a new way to play tennis over long distances.

Website: https://www.vr-motion-learning.com/

HTC VIVE Tracker on a Tennis Racket

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