Tracking using Vive Trackers?

[Aurel Tristen]

Hello,
This app looks like it is great at what it does, but it got me thinking. Do you think any time in the future, you may support the use of Vive's tracker pucks? From a design standpoint, it is really helpful that the trackers indicate the player's hip rotation, making it easy to walk one direction and aim/attack/look another.

Also, with foot trackers, you could interpret foot movement (walking in place) for movement. From a software perspective (I've seen some devs detect walking in place with hip-tracking alone too), the vive trackers are dealt with just like standard controllers. This means the folks out there with a spare controller (due to a dead trackpad or whatnot) could use it for hip tracking.

I understand this might be outside the scope of your product, which I am buying anyway, but I thought I'd mention it.

[Myou cat]

Yes, that's planned!

[Aurel Tristen]

OMG YES! Please let me know if you need a tester!

[brent]

Yes, I deparately want Tracker support too, especially for Skyrim! If implemented correctly, the grip buttons should be optional. Let me know and I'll test. There's an openvr walk app on Github that tries to do this and at times succeeds without needing a grip button, but their driver seems very unstable and doesn't work half the time. What they did do right was allow you to swing your arms to varying degrees to move between walking, jogging, and sprinting while wearing trackers on your feet to walk in place. You definitely want a way to casually walk around a room or to be able to jog and sprint. When this is working, it's absolutely amazing.

[soundcooler]

I support this request too!

Low Impact Cardio You Can Do For Hours:

https://www.vrfitnessinsider.com/review/skyrim-vr-game-review/

[ShieldSean]

If it can detect steps from your phone in your pocket or your fitbit on your wrist, then you're right in the area of walking/jogging in place to be able to so exactly that low impact cardio. I still wish I had a bit more room so I could duck behind a corner/door frame to reload and dodge incoming fire in Fallout, but that's less useful in Skyrim.

I seriously look forward to seeing what the Nalo devs come up with next, so much so that I didn't even wait for it to be on sale.

[Myou cat]

This week we didn't have much time, but during next week we'll be churning out frequent updates, and we'll start investigating trackers. Thank you very much for your support!

[Hossam]

Thanks for the continued development! I've placed an order for a pair of trackers and am excited to use them with NaLo.

I'd like to suggest some possible set-ups:

Tracker Configurations
-------------------------------

1 Tracker :

(1) Tracker worn on belt buckle OR small of back. Heading for NaLo is determined by direction hips are facing. Hands are used to take steps.

-or-

(2) Tracker worn on one foot. Heading for NaLo determined by direction toes are facing.

2 Trackers:

(1) Trackers worn on belt buckle AND small of back. Same principle as the 1 tracker waist option, just less sensor occlusion.

-or-

(2) Trackers worn on feet. Raising feet to take steps. Heading for NaLo determined by foot placement and orientation. Speed to be determined by foot and/or hand velocity.

Foot Placement and Orientation Options
-----------------------------------------------------

Side Stepping:

(1) Both feet directly under the HMD. One foot facing forward and the other pointing towards the desired heading. Point left foot for left side stepping and right foot for right side stepping. Angle between feet determines the severity of the side stepping versus forward movement, where perpendicular feet = 100% sidestepping.

-or-

(2) One foot directly under HMD and the other to the side of the HMD. Step with both feet and you will side step in the direction of the foot that is to the side the HMD.

-or-

(3) Controller Grip buttons determine which direction to side-step. Left grip to side step left, right grip to side step right. Both grips (or no grips) to move forward.


Back Pedaling:

(1) Spread one foot in front of (or under) the HMD and the other behind the HMD. Step with both feet to move backwards.

-or-

(2) Hold both grip buttons to walk backwards

-or-

(3) Hold both grip buttons to walk forwards AND a third modifier button to walk backwards

Jumping from a stand still:

(1) Jump with one foot under the HDM and the other in front of or behind the HMD. The direction of the jump is determined by the foot which is not under the HMD. Keep both feet under the HMD to jump straight up.

-or-

(2) Jump, but tilt your HMD in the direction you wish to jump in.
----------------------------------------------

Since some of us will actually be walking around our play areas it may be best to still require a button press to trigger the NaLo motion controls. This can be optional of course.

Thanks for reading!

I'd be glad to beta test once my trackers arrive in the mail.

[Myou cat]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[not_amused]

Just got myself 2 trackers - very much looking forward to this integration!

[Myou cat]

We used a bit too much time developing walk in place without trackers (what we used to call "head bobbing"). At least it laid the ground work for walk in place with trackers, which will probably be much more natural.

[Xil]

This would be great. I've been trying to figure out how to do coding for trackers and walking myself then building my own "VR treadmill". However, I just don't know enough about coding to figure it out. Once this is an option I'll be putting a build tutorial for custom "VR Treadmills". (The ones out there right now are A. Janky and cheap, B. Don't support people over 200 lbs or over 6 feet tall (well), and C. Don't allow for good prone and jumping.

[GitDerekt]

Considering this is a planned feature would this be something that would be added for those that already own natural locomotion at no additional fee. To add should we expect something within the coming months to be in beta or is this a feature which is not expected to release this year.

[Myou cat]

Originally posted by GitDerekt:

Considering this is a planned feature would this be something that would be added for those that already own natural locomotion at no additional fee. To add should we expect something within the coming months to be in beta or is this a feature which is not expected to release this year.

Yes, it will be added to Natural Locomotion at no extra cost. Most probably this month, maybe within a week if we can afford the time.

[Aurel Tristen]

Hey, just checking in to see if this feature has been looked at.

Thanks!

[Myou cat]

Originally posted by Aurel Tristen:

Hey, just checking in to see if this feature has been looked at.

Thanks!

We're working on it the little time we have lately. It's still our main focus.