VRgineers Reveals Augmented Reality Module Prototype That Makes XTAL the First Enterprise Mixed Reality Headset Capable of Total Immersion
In a press release dated May 28 2019, VRgineers, announced a new lightweight augmented reality vision and tracking module for its industry-leading XTAL VR headset. Featuring Wide-Angle Camera Sensors, the new AR module for XTAL allows users to see their actual hands interact with real physical objects in virtual reality.
This makes XTAL the most advanced mixed reality (MR) system ever created, and the only enterprise-grade MR system capable of total immersion.
Weighing in at only 42 grams, VRgineers’ new augmented reality module features high-quality camera sensors with wide lenses for a natural and immersive field-of-view, and adds hand tracking, inside out tracking, and virtual and augmented reality switching to XTAL’s broad list of capabilities.
The first market segments to benefit from the new AR module, are automotive and aerospace. “The fascinating thing is that we are building the software system that allows you to combine the best functions and capabilities of AR with the VR world,” said Marek Polcak, VRgineers Co-Founder. “With our new module and SDK, AR and VR developers will be able to flawlessly combine real physical objects, including their own hands, with virtual reality.”
Currently, XTAL utilizes state-of-the-art LEAP Motion tracking that allows customers to utilize gesture control and hand tracking in their VR applications. VRgineers’ new module maintains the benefits afforded by the LEAP Motion system for purely VR applications, but expands upon those features for mixed reality applications by combining elements of the physical and virtual world into an immersive, natural experience. With VRgineers’ new AR module, XTAL users will be able to experience natural hands-on interaction with real-world things, like fighter jet cockpits or vehicle dashboard prototypes, while a realistic virtual world is created around them and the physical objects.
One of the most unique features afforded by the new AR module prototype for XTAL is inside out tracking, which is a method of positional tracking commonly used in virtual reality technologies, specifically for tracking the position of head-mounted displays (HMDs) and motion controller accessories. It differentiates itself from outside-in tracking by the location of the cameras and other sensors that are used to determine objects’ positions in space. With inside-out positional tracking, the sensors are located on the device being tracked, whereas outside-in tracking places the sensors at stationary external locations.