How the VIVE Ultimate Tracker Works
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker is a small and lightweight device that measures about 50% smaller than the previous VIVE Tracker 3.0, and weighs around 100 grams. It has a USB-C port for charging and connecting to a wireless dongle, which can support up to five trackers at the same time. The tracker also has a button and an LED indicator to show the battery status and pairing mode.
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker can be attached to various objects and body parts, such as shoes, gloves, props, and accessories, to bring them into the VR world. The tracker uses the built-in cameras on the VR headset to track its position and orientation in relation to the headset, and sends the data to the VR system via the wireless dongle. The tracker can also work with the VIVE Wrist Tracker, which is another inside-out tracking device that can track the hand movements and gestures of the user.
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker is compatible with the OpenXR standard, which means it can work with various VR platforms and applications that support this standard. The tracker can also work with different VR headsets, such as the VIVE Focus 3 and the VIVE XR Elite, which are all-in-one headsets that do not need a PC or a smartphone to run VR content. The tracker can also work with PC VR headsets, such as the VIVE Pro and the VIVE Cosmos Elite, which can stream VR content from a PC or a cloud server.
The Benefits of the VIVE Ultimate Tracker
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker offers several benefits for VR users and developers, such as:
- It enables full-body tracking and immersive interaction in VR, which can enhance the realism and presence of the VR experience. For example, the user can see their own feet and hands in VR, and interact with virtual objects and characters using natural movements and gestures.
- It simplifies the setup and installation of VR devices, as it does not need any external base stations or sensors to track the tracker. The user only needs to pair the tracker with the VR headset and the wireless dongle, and then attach the tracker to the desired object or body part.
- It increases the portability and scalability of VR devices, as it can work with both all-in-one and PC VR headsets, and can support up to five trackers at the same time. The user can easily switch between different VR platforms and applications, and use multiple trackers to create different VR scenarios and experiences.
The Price and Availability of the VIVE Ultimate Tracker
According to a recent leak, the VIVE Ultimate Tracker will cost $200 per unit, while the wireless dongle will cost $39. However, the user can get the wireless dongle for free if they purchase three trackers in a bundle. The tracker will have a battery life of up to seven hours, and a range of up to nine meters with the wireless dongle.
The official announcement and pre-orders for the VIVE Ultimate Tracker are expected to take place in October 2023. The tracker will initially have limited support for VR headsets, and will mainly work with the VIVE Focus 3 and the VIVE XR Elite. The compatibility with other VR headsets and platforms will be announced later.
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker is the latest innovation from HTC VIVE, which aims to provide seamless and high-quality VR experiences for all. The tracker is designed to make VR more accessible, immersive, and versatile, and to enable users to explore, learn, and connect in the virtual world.
