In early 2023, HTC announced its first self-tracking tracker at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2023. However, it wasn’t available for purchase until the 28th of November, 2023, when the company officially unveiled it to the public and put it up for sale at a special launch promotion price of $199. This tech product is a VR tracker for standalone devices, including all-in-one XR headsets and PC VR streaming. This self-tracking tracker is called the VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
About the VIVE Ultimate Tracker
With the VIVE Ultimate Tracker, HTC is introducing a self-tracking technology that makes full-body tracking possible without base stations. It is designed with two high FOV cameras that enable it to function as a standalone tracker that can identify its position in 3D space. Currently, this tracker can be connected to a VIVE Focus 3 or VIVE XR Elite, but plans are on the way to enable it to accommodate more headsets, including non-VIVE headsets. To do PCVR with the VIVE Ultimate Tracker on another headset other than the VIVE XR Elite, you’ll need a beta app expected to be released weeks after the launch. HTC collaborated with Rebuff Reality, VRChat, and Rezzil to make the product compatible with their standalone mobile VR applications, including Dance Dash, VRChat, and Skillshot.
Potential Use Cases
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker comes with a lot of possibilities in areas like gaming, motion capture, sports, training, and industrial use. Due to the presence of the 6DoF inside-out tracking, this tracker is particularly promising for online games like live bingo, where real presenters are streamed as they officiate the sessions in bingo rooms. This is because, with the precise positional tracking capabilities of the VIVE Ultimate tracker, developers can now create a more immersive and interactive live game with low-cost motion-tracking features.
In sports, this product has the potential to unlock a new football training experience through its precise feet tracking that is already functional on Rezzil skill shot. Dance Dash is another fantastic application that is compatible with the VIVE Ultimate Tracker. Utilising the capabilities of full-body tracking, this rhythm game engages your entire body in a virtual dance experience on the ultimate VR dance floor. This device has many possibilities, and it’s safe to say that Shen Ye, Global Head of Product at HTC VIVE, was right when he said that the product would take interactivity, utility, and expressiveness to the next level.
Source: Unsplash
Specifications of the VIVE Ultimate Tracker
This device weighs 94 grams, can last up to 7 hours, and has an operating distance range of up to 10 metres. It comes with a wireless dongle that delivers multipoint full body tracking and allows you to connect up to five VIVE ultimate trackers to one headset at a time. Equipped with a 1/4”-20 UNC mounting plate, this device easily attaches to various objects and accessories. Inside the packaging, you’ll find a 120 cm USB-C to USB-C cable and essential documentation like the safety guide, user guide QR code, and warranty card. The device also has connectivity options, including proprietary 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, along with inputs like Pogo pins x 6, a USB Type-C port, and a power button. Charging times average 2.2 hours with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 or 3.2 hours with a 5V/1A power supply. With its intriguing features, we eagerly anticipate the potential impact this product may have on virtual reality and other industries worldwide.