Yesterday a kickstarter was put up on Crowd Supply for SlimeVR, an open-source fullbody VR tracking kit being developed independently by Eiren Rain. The set goal was $180,000, but less than 24 hours it had raised well over $300,000.
What makes SlimeVR unique?
What makes SlimeVR different is that it uses an IMU tracking solution, sending the tracking data to your PC via a WiFi connection of 2.4ghz. Due to the IMU solution, SlimeVR tracking is entirely self-contained as well as fully wireless, meaning there are no external sensors. No sensors also means that the trackers can be fully occluded; you could even lie in bed under the covers and they wouldn't lose tracking. All you need for the kit is a stable WiFi connection and a SteamVR-compatible headset.
That being said, SlimeVR isn't perfect. It's still in early beta and all known bugs are planned to be fixed before launch, as well as plans to make setting up the trackers much faster and easier. If you're concerned about the tracking quality, you can see that it improves quite a bit with every single progress update.
Eirin also provided a bit of insight regarding the specifications of the kits:
SlimeVR is aimed to release to the public in Q1 2022, with a starting price of $165 for the Lower-Body Set, and a highest point of $455 for the Deluxe Tracker Set, with several different optional sets in-between.
This is a much cheaper solution than the Vive Trackers, costing $99 per individual tracker, and $200 per base station (which you will want at least two of), for a total of over $600 for fullbody tracking that requires external sensors.
Erien on other sites:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCllVr_IVJ11AmcuAped8-uA
https://github.com/Eirenliel
https://twitter.com/eirenliel
Sources
SlimeVR Github: SlimeVR · GitHub
CrowdSupply: https://www.crowdsupply.com/slimevr/slimevr-full-body-tracker
What makes SlimeVR unique?
What makes SlimeVR different is that it uses an IMU tracking solution, sending the tracking data to your PC via a WiFi connection of 2.4ghz. Due to the IMU solution, SlimeVR tracking is entirely self-contained as well as fully wireless, meaning there are no external sensors. No sensors also means that the trackers can be fully occluded; you could even lie in bed under the covers and they wouldn't lose tracking. All you need for the kit is a stable WiFi connection and a SteamVR-compatible headset.
That being said, SlimeVR isn't perfect. It's still in early beta and all known bugs are planned to be fixed before launch, as well as plans to make setting up the trackers much faster and easier. If you're concerned about the tracking quality, you can see that it improves quite a bit with every single progress update.
Eirin also provided a bit of insight regarding the specifications of the kits:
- Native SteamVR support
- 100 Hz refresh rate
- Completely wireless via 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi
- Over 15 hours of playtime with a built-in 1200 mAh battery
- USB Type-C charging and hacking
- Over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates
- Works with all SteamVR-compatible headsets
- PC connection over Wi-Fi via your network router, Wi-Fi card, dongle, or integrated in the MB / Laptop
This is a much cheaper solution than the Vive Trackers, costing $99 per individual tracker, and $200 per base station (which you will want at least two of), for a total of over $600 for fullbody tracking that requires external sensors.
Erien on other sites:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCllVr_IVJ11AmcuAped8-uA
https://github.com/Eirenliel
https://twitter.com/eirenliel
Sources
SlimeVR Github: SlimeVR · GitHub
CrowdSupply: https://www.crowdsupply.com/slimevr/slimevr-full-body-tracker
Last edited by Mama Looigi,