The current state of mobile VR has come a long way from its early days when it often left users feeling disoriented. While we may not yet reach the same level of quality as Oculus Rift or PSVR, advancements in technology are happening fast. One significant improvement has been the elimination of cumbersome cables, which has greatly enhanced user experience. However, the rise of mobile VR has sparked new discussions around six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) experiences in virtual environments.
Being able to freely move around in space, within certain limits, makes HTC Vive one of the most appealing systems on the market today. Its room-scale tracking is unmatched, but it isn’t ideal for everyone due to its setup requirements. Oculus, on the other hand, offers similar capabilities with its own tracking system, but they’re exploring inside-out tracking, which promises greater freedom without the need for wires. I had the opportunity to try out the Santa Cruz prototype at the OC3 conference last year, and it was quite impressive.
If you’ve ever heard of inside-out and outside-in tracking, you might already have a general idea of what they mean. But what exactly are the pros and cons of each, and which one will dominate the VR landscape over the next decade?
### 1. Outside-In Tracking (Outside-In)
If you’ve ever used one of the “Big Three†VR systems—Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or PSVR—you’ve experienced outside-in tracking. These systems rely on external devices to track both the headset and any accessories. For example, the Vive uses Lighthouse base stations, while the Oculus Rift employs a sensor resembling a microphone. All three setups require placing sensors in various locations around the room to determine the position of the headset relative to the environment.
Even some mobile VR experiments incorporate outside-in tracking solutions.
**Advantages:**
- **Accuracy**: Outside-in tracking remains the most precise system available today. Adding more sensors to the room can further enhance its accuracy.
- **Latency**: Current outside-in tracking has low latency, reducing the likelihood of motion sickness. Unless another solution matches this level of precision, outside-in tracking will likely remain the go-to option for high-end VR experiences.
**Disadvantages:**
- **Line-of-Sight Issues**: A major drawback is occlusion. If you move behind furniture or tall objects and lose line-of-sight with the sensors, the system struggles to track your position accurately. For optimal performance, the sensors must maintain a 360-degree view of the user.
- **Limited Space**: Outside-in tracking works best in larger spaces. If the designated VR area is small, the limitations of the sensors become more apparent, breaking immersion when the user moves out of range.
### 2. Inside-Out Tracking (Inside-Out)
In contrast, inside-out tracking relies on sensors integrated directly into the headset itself. These sensors detect changes in the headset’s position relative to the surrounding environment. As the user moves their head, the system recalibrates the headset's position in real-time, creating the illusion of seamless movement within the virtual world. Some inside-out tracking systems use markers or visual cues to aid in tracking, while others do not.
Several companies are already offering promising inside-out tracking solutions. For instance, Qualcomm’s 835 reference headset showcases this technology. Eonite demonstrated their inside-out tracking solution by attaching a sensor to an HTC Vive headset. Even though the headset still required a wired connection to the PC, users could freely explore the virtual world without needing external sensors. Microsoft’s HoloLens and the upcoming Windows Mixed Reality Headsets, along with Acer’s “mixed reality†headsets, also feature integrated inside-out tracking.
**Advantages:**
- **Portability**: Inside-out tracking eliminates the need for external sensors, making the setup process simpler and more portable.
- **Cost-Effective**: Without the need for expensive external hardware, inside-out tracking has the potential to reduce the overall cost of VR systems.
**Disadvantages:**
- **Precision**: While improving, inside-out tracking is not yet as accurate as outside-in tracking. It may struggle in environments with poor lighting or reflective surfaces.
- **Software Complexity**: Implementing inside-out tracking requires advanced software algorithms to ensure reliable performance, which can pose challenges for developers.
Looking ahead, it seems that inside-out tracking will play a significant role in the future of VR, especially as mobile and standalone headsets become more popular. However, outside-in tracking will likely remain relevant in professional and high-end applications where precision and reliability are paramount. Over the next decade, we may see a hybrid approach, combining the strengths of both methods to create a more versatile and immersive VR experience.
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