Oculus Rift, Gear VR, HTC Vive… we have may several different options for experiencing virtual reality (VR), but what about changing the physical space where you put a headset on? US-based software company WorldViz are helping take VR out of a single room and making it a collaborative experience on a warehouse-scale with motion tracking technology.
Intel-backed WorldViz have been quietly working on its wide-scale Precision Position Tracking (PPT) system for research-based purposes over the past 14 years, however, its latest development looks to be a game-changer in how we think about VR, as the system will soon plug into game engines including Unreal Engine 4 and Unity 5.
The company claim its PPT set-up – using cameras, controllers and sensors on a headset – can track multiple users within the same space to "sub-millimetre" accuracy. The local VR system has the potential to be deployed for educational and defence training, as well as large-scale arcade experiences.
“This is a new type of ability to put people into a hazardous position for training, put them into an architectural scene that really is evoking your ability to understand the space,” commented Andy Bell, CEO and CTO at WorldViz.
The PPT plug-ins for compatible headsets (such as Vive, Rift, Gear VR, PSVR and Google's Daydream) will be available this month. WorldViz hardware, 240Hz cameras, headset sensors and controllers will be required to create warehouse-scale VR.