Hardware

Hands-On: Looking Glass Portrait Holographic Display

September 15, 2022 From vrscout

A genuinely impressive hologram machine that doesn’t break the bank.

If watching decades of sci-fi movies and television like Star Wars and Back to the Future has taught me anything, it’s that holograms are the future of communication and entertainment.

Perhaps that explains my excitement around the Looking Glass Portrait, a desktop holographic display designed for artists, designers, developers, filmmakers, photographers, and various other creative professionals looking to take their craft to the next level. Despite its many features, the device is relatively easy to use, even for those brand new to immersive technology.

I was fortunate enough to go hands-on with Looking Glass Portrait and after a few weeks of experimentation, I can safely say the device is worth its price. From the impressive 3D visuals to the easy-to-use software, Looking Glass Factory has crafted an impressive hologram machine that doesn’t break the bank, which is a rare combination in today’s market.

Looking Glass Portrait features two primary modes of operation: Desktop Mode and Standalone Mode. By plugging the device into your computer (Mac or PC) via a standard USB-C and HDMI cable, you’re able to use it as a secondary 3D monitor. You can then use the HoloPlay Studio software to easily drag and drop new holograms onto the device, develop applications using plugins for programs like Unity and Unreal Engine, and more.

Standalone Mode is exactly what it sounds like. A built-in Raspberry Pi 4 allows you to view roughly 1,000 holographic photos and videos on a loop without the need for a computer. All you have to do is plug the Portrait into a power source and use the touch controls located on the side of the device to cycle through content. It’s a painfully easy process, almost to a surprising degree.

Looking Glass Portrait comes with a generous selection of demo holograms you can try right out of the box. This includes everything from abstract art and still photography to 3D models and various other immersive content. You also have the ability to download holograms from other Looking Glass creators. All you need to do is download a file from lookingglassfactory.com and drag it into the playlist folder that opens automatically when you plug the device into your computer.

You can also import your own 3D photos and videos. Compatible files include iPhone Portrait photos, android portrait photos, RGBD photos/videos, quilt images & videos, and light field photosets. During my time with the device, I was able to upload a 3D selfie using the Portrait Mode on my iPhone 12. The process was relatively straightforward. All I had to do was snap the photo, send it to my computer, and import the file using HoloPlay Studio. Those with an iPhone 12 Pro or any iPhone with LiDAR can capture even more detailed photos with ease.

While the Looking Glass Portrait may be the smallest of Looking Glass Factory’s holographic displays (the company also offers 16″, 32″, and 65″ models), the potential use cases are virtually endless. Whether you’re a designer looking for an easy way to visualize your projects in 3D or a filmmaker curious about the world of 3D storytelling, the Portrait is an excellent addition to any creative professional’s arsenal of tools.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed using the device as a custom art gallery. I’ve spent hours searching for new 3D photos and videos from a wide range of talented creators, amassing a sizable catalog of immersive art and memories in the process. Moving forward, I’d be curious to experiment with some of the interactive features powered by the Azure Kinect spatial tracking kit.

Looking Glass Portrait is available now starting at $399. You also have the option to purchase 2D-to-3D conversion credits which can be used to convert “two-dimensional memories into holographic memories.”

For more information visit here.

Image Credit: Looking Glass Factory

3D Scanner Lets You Capture The Real World In VR

September 14, 2022 From vrscout

VR is about to get a whole lot more real.

Imagine having the power to capture your real-world environment as a hyper-realistic 3D model from the palm of your hand. Well, wonder no more, as peel 3d, a developer of professional-grade 3D scanners, today announced the launch of peel 3 and peel 3.CAD, two new easy-to-use 3D scanners capable of generating high-quality 3D scans for a wide variety of digital mediums, including VR and augmented reality (AR).

Each device features an ergonomic design as well as a touchscreen interface, allowing users to generate high-resolution scans regardless of their skill level. “Haptic user communications” guide users through the scanning process, ensuring clean, high-quality 3D scans.

“In addition to the boosted performance specs and innovative design of the new peel 3d scanners, the fact that each 3D scanner can be supported with integrated and powerful scan-to-CAD software is something the market has never seen before for this category of 3D measurement solutions,” said François Leclerc, Program Manager at peel 3D, in an official release. “This clearly shows our commitment to democratizing the entire 3D scanning experience for users in many different fields.”

The aforementioned 3D scanners are powered by peel.OS, an easy-to-use “data acquisition software” that transforms 3D scans into CAD-ready files compatible with a wide variety of applications.

“Peel 3d customers can also opt for V.I.peel, an exclusive white-glove service and investment protection program, that includes free software updates, extended hardware repair coverage, and more,” added peel 3D. “Peel 3d has also redesigned a series of accessories to complement its new 3D scanners.”

Peel 3D and peel 3.CAD are available for $8490 and $11,990 respectively. For more information visit here.

Image Credit: peel 3D

Meta Quest Pro Coming This October Says Zuckerberg

August 25, 2022 From vrscout

The enterprise-focused device supposedly features facial tracking and high-resolution colored passthrough.

This week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined prominent podcast host and comedian Joe Rogan on his show The Joe Rogan Experience, during which they talked more about the company’s next Meta VR headset, codenamed Project Cambria.

During their conversation, Zuckerberg quickly mentions a release window for the device, saying, “For the next device that’s coming out in October, there are a few big features.” While Zuckerberg doesn’t explicitly mention Project Cambria during the interview, it’s hard to imagine he’s talking about a different piece of hardware based on his description.

According to leaks, Project Cambria, otherwise referred to as the Meta Quest Pro, features both face and eye tracking powered by additional sensors that track your eye and lip movements. We do know that the headset features high-resolution colored passthrough technology capable of delivering engaging mixed reality experiences.

During a Q1 2022 earnings call, Zuckerberg said that he hopes the device will one day replace your laptop or current work setup. Project Cambria is supposedly designed primarily for “work use cases” as opposed to gaming and entertainment.

Hopefully, we’ll learn more about this during the annual Connect conference.

Image Credit: Meta

HalfDive VR Cancels Kickstarter After Hitting Funding Goal

January 31, 2022 From vrfocus

If you love the weird and wonderful ideas XR creators come up with then you’ll have likely caught wind of HalfDive, a virtual reality (VR) headset that’s used whilst laying down. Designed by Japanese startup Diver-X, the company launched a Kickstarter back in December to help fund the project. As unusual as the headset is this story gets even more bizarre, Diver-X canceled the campaign after hitting its initial funding goal.

Issuing a statement today to its backers, Diver-X CEO Yamato Sakoda gave three reasons for the sudden withdrawal of the campaign. The first was a “major change in product direction,” going on to say: “we came to the conclusion that HalfDive’s current specifications were not the best way to realize our goals of “completing life in-bed”.”

The biggest issue Sakoda mentioned revolved around the interface rather than the headset itself. Even focusing efforts towards gaming, this wasn’t enough to provide the innovative experience Diver-X was looking for. “We became skeptical of the current concept of HalfDive, our test-product, and its mass production,” Sakoda adds.

Reason two stems from the company’s own organizational structure, outsourcing the design of key components. This increased costs, especially where the optical system was concerned, attributing to around 50% of HalfDive’s cost. “We found out it would be extremely difficult to manufacture within an appropriate price range hardware components that meet our expected-quality.”

Lastly, as with a lot of startups, it comes down to cash flow. Even with the Kickstarter funds, Diver-X isn’t “in a financially stable position” to go into mass production. However, the company has sufficient funds to continue development so it’s not the end of HalfDive. Diver-X aims to address issues mentioned before coming back with an updated design.

The Kickstarter looked to raise ¥20,000,000 Yen (around $176,000 USD) and actually hit ¥24 million before the campaign was canceled. Due to the cancellation, the 248 backers weren’t charged so at least there’s no refund to chase and Diver-X has been honest about what’s occurred.

When gmw3 learns more about the future of the company and its unusual HalfDive headset we’ll let you know.

HTC Vive Unveils new Hardware Solutions at CES 2022, Including a Wrist Tracker & Charging Case

January 5, 2022 From vrfocus

HTC Vive had quite the 2021 releasing not one or two but three virtual reality (VR) headsets, the Vive Pro 2, Vive Focus 3 and Vive Flow. As part of CES 2022 today, the company has just unveiled a bunch of accessories specifically for the standalone Vive Focus 3, a wrist tracker, charging case and multi-battery charger.

The Vive Focus 3 is HTC Vive’s all-in-one (AIO) solution for businesses, whether that’s companies looking to conduct training sessions and meetings in VR, or location-based entertainment (LBE) venues after the latest cord-free technology. And it’s the latter that could benefit the most from these latest gadgets. The Vive Wrist Tracker provides a tracking solution specifically for the headset, 85% smaller and 50% lighter (63g) than the Vive Focus 3 controllers.

Worn either on the wrist or attached to objects so they can be tracked in VR, the Vive Wrist Tracker has LEDs that are picked up by the headset tracking cameras. Whilst the Wrist Tracker can aid hand tracking, HTC Vive says it can also improve tracking from your fingertips to your elbow, even when out of sight of the cameras. It does this by: “using high-frequency IMU data and an advanced kinematic model,” predicting a users hand position.

Offering four hours of continual use out of a single charge (charged via a USB-C connection), the Vive Wrist Tracker has a one-button pairing feature to the Vive Focus 3 as well as a removable strap for cleaning. It’ll arrive early in 2022 for US customers first, priced at $129 USD, €129 EUR, £119 GBP. HTC Vive has confirmed it’ll release the CAD files so that owners can build their own docking solutions for attaching the tracker to guns, sports equipment or other objects.

Then there’s the Vive Focus 3 Charging Case, ideal for when you want to take the headset out and about whilst keeping it fully charged. With an outer splash-proof rigid shell design, the charging case features lockable zips for security and an in-built storage area for chargers and cables. As for that charging capability, the original Vive Focus 3 charger plugs into the corner of the case to juice up the headset and both controllers.

There’s an additional feature that businesses and other organisations may find useful if they have multiple devices, auto-pairing. When placing the headset and controllers inside the case, all devices will pair instantly, ensuring no awkward mismatching of components if sets get muddled together.

Finally, there’s the Multi Battery Charger. The Vive Focus 3 features the ability to hot-swap batteries for continual use but in a busy setting like a classroom, operators will need to continually charge batteries. The Vive Focus 3 Multi Battery Charger can charge up to four batteries at once, all at full speed with LED indicators showing the charge status.

Currently, HTC Vive hasn’t said when the Charging Case or Multi Battery Charger will be available or how much they’ll cost. When those details are available VRFocus will let you know.

Got a Spare $10K? Teslasuit is Discounted for Cyber Monday

November 29, 2021 From vrfocus

As VRFocus reported last week, there have been a reasonable number of virtual reality (VR) deals over the course of the weekend for Black Friday, mostly on the software side. Nothing too unusual. Until today that is, with Teslasuit offering its first-ever sale on a limited number of developer kits, saving a few lucky customers almost $3,000 USD off the regular price.

Ok, so this particular Cyber Monday isn’t for your regular consumer product as the Teslasuit is generally only sold for commercial or enterprise applications, mostly because the product usually retails for $12,999. But for today only, if you are a developer or certified partner of Teslasuit then you can pick one up for the (almost) bargain price of $10,400. That deal does include the software and API license but excludes shipping and taxes – so you’ll need to budget a little bit more.

That 20% saving is for 24 Teslasuit Developer Kits only, so once they’re gone they’re gone, and you’ll need to apply directly to Teslasuit itself – you definitely won’t find this on Amazon. Plus, Teslasuit informs VRFocus that its: “team will assist in getting your suit ready to be shipped before Christmas,” making for a nice festive treat.

Parent company VR Electronics Ltd has been selling the Teslasuit for a couple of years now after the fully haptic suit made its debut during CES 2018. The suit is jammed packed full of sensors and haptics so that companies can utilise it for a range of use cases, whether that’s collecting data on performance training and next-generation rehabilitation to improving situational awareness or for motion capture purposes.

The Teslasuit features 10 internal motion capture sensors, 80 electrostimulation channels for tactile feedback, a rechargeable battery that can run between 8-10 hours. As you can see from the promotional images, the Teslasuit is a snug fit to ensure all that tech functions at an optimal level. Hence why the Teslasuit comes in XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL sizes as well as a custom made option if none of those suffices.

VR Electronics Ltd is also working on a haptic glove called the Teslasuit Glove. Unveiled last year, the company has been fairly quiet since then on its development and when it’ll go on sale. It’ll include force feedback so that users can feel digital objects, their shape and resistance to pressure.

With the current metaverse trend gaining steam, consumers may eventually want a device like the Teslasuit to fully immerse in these virtual universes. For continued updates keep reading VRFocus.