We heard that HTC is working on a
Vive-branded tracker. No one ever said it was a fitness tracker, but
such a possibility did come close to mind. So we are surprised by the turnout,
but very pleased nevertheless.
The US$ 99 Vive Tracker is now available for
developer purchase, and it's the Vive headset's nimble little friend. It looks
like a charging cradle, but its purpose is being strapped onto an object, such
as a replica of a gun, and tracking its motions to turn it into a VR
controller.
Multiple Vive Trackers can be combined for complex
tasks like full body tracking. Thus, VR developers now have the means of easily
implementing natural movement tracking into their experiences.
The tech has already contributed to a bunch of rad
demos, such as this one, in which you hit dinosaurs in their ugly faces with a
baseball bat. Or this one, which is about shooting lifelike virtual guns. We'd
rather have that cool stuff than another overpriced wristband in a bunch of
silly colors, thanks HTC.
The Vive Tracker will be sold to consumers and
businesses in the second half of 2017. Get HR to install a bunch of virtual
rifles at the corporate play room and you're golden.
