HTC shrinks its VR Tracker, launches new facial tracking accessory

HTC is today launching its third generation Vive Tracker, which is significantly smaller in size and weight than its immediate predecessor. The Vive Tracker 3.0 is about 33 percent smaller than the 2018 model and 15 percent lighter, with a footprint of about 10 centimeters, or four inches, smaller. These reductions in the size of the quality of life mean that the device is much easier to attach to the body, or to an accessory, something very expensive in older and bulky models. Oh, and now he uses USB-C.

Despite the smaller body, the company says the device will last up to 75 percent longer on a single charge, extending battery life to nearly seven hours. HTC stressed that smaller trackers should make it easier to attach them to wrists and ankles for full-body VR tracking. Compared to testing the larger version in Rezzil Player 21 a few weeks ago, the improvement is significant. But HTC said there was no compromise in tracking accuracy compared to its older siblings.

There should be no complaints about backward compatibility between the new crawlers and the old hardware. The company claims that it will easily integrate with SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 and will remain compatible with all the accessories you already have that use the pogo pin connectors. The HTC Vive Tracker 3.0 is available today in the United States and Europe, priced at $ 129 / € 139, both on Vive’s own website, as well as on Amazon and other participating retailers.

At the same time, HTC is also launching the new Vive facial tracker, which “perfectly tracks 38 facial movements on the lips, jaw, teeth, tongue, chin and cheeks”. The idea is to allow people in VR to design their own avatar with an accurate version of their own face, monitored in real time. The system uses an infrared illuminator connected to two cameras that monitor (probably similar to how FaceID works) the movement of your mouth.

The company says it is a new tool for players and developers, but also a way to “build momentum” for future storytelling methods. It can also be useful for business users who need to monitor facial feedback during product testing, as well as in medical situations. In addition, it can offer inexpensive and cheerful motion capture to filmmakers who cannot afford more expensive and comprehensive methods. And this is also available for purchase from today on the HTC website.