The current state of mobile VR has significantly improved compared to its early days. While it still can't match the level of quality offered by high-end systems like the Oculus Rift or PSVR, advancements in technology have eliminated the need for cumbersome cables. This shift has opened up exciting possibilities regarding six-degrees-of-freedom experiences in virtual environments.
HTC Vive remains one of the most captivating systems due to its ability to allow users to freely move around in physical space, albeit with some constraints. Its tracking mechanism relies on external sensors placed throughout the room, such as the Lighthouse base stations used by Vive. Similarly, Oculus offers comparable functionality but is exploring inside-out tracking, which promises greater freedom of movement without the hassle of wires. Last year, during the Oculus Connect 3 conference, I had the opportunity to try out the Santa Cruz prototype, which showcased this innovative approach.
You might have heard about inside-out and outside-in tracking methods, and perhaps you understand their basic concepts. However, do you fully grasp the specific pros and cons of each? And which method will dominate 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 PlayStation VR—you’ve encountered outside-in tracking. These systems utilize external devices to monitor both the headset and peripheral devices. For instance, Vive employs SteamVR's base stations, whereas Oculus Rift uses a camera-like sensor positioned similarly to a microphone.
In these setups, sensors must be strategically placed around the room to establish the headset's position relative to the surrounding environment. High-end systems commonly implement this approach, and some experimental mobile VR solutions also incorporate outside-in tracking.
**Advantages:**
- **Accuracy**: The outside-in solution maintains stability and remains the most precise tracking system available today. Adding more sensors can further enhance accuracy.
- **Latency**: Current outside-in tracking exhibits lower latency, reducing the likelihood of motion sickness. Unless alternative methods reach similar tracking standards, this tracking method will likely remain dominant, even for mobile VR applications.
**Disadvantages:**
- **Line-of-Sight Issues**: A significant limitation lies in occlusion. If you step behind furniture or tall objects obstructing the sensor’s view, the system struggles to maintain your position. The sensor must cover a full 360-degree range; otherwise, tracking will fail, particularly in confined spaces.
- **Field of View Constraints**: Unlike inside-out tracking, outside-in tracking requires you to stay within the sensor’s field of vision. Once outside this boundary, immersion breaks down, especially when operating in limited VR environments.
**2. Inside-Out Tracking (Inside-Out)**
With inside-out tracking, the device itself contains sensors capable of detecting positional changes relative to the surrounding environment. As the head moves, the sensor recalibrates the device’s coordinates in real-time, creating the illusion of seamless navigation within the virtual world. Inside-out tracking can operate independently or complement external markers. Devices like the Bird VR Neo provide unrestricted freedom of movement, while Valve’s demo rooms often include visual markers on walls to assist tracking.
Several companies are already delivering promising inside-out tracking solutions. Qualcomm’s 835 reference headset and Eonite’s proprietary tech are notable examples. By attaching a sensor to an HTC Vive headset, Eonite demonstrated how users could freely explore virtual worlds without relying on external sensors. Microsoft stands out as a leader in this field, integrating inside-out tracking into products like HoloLens and upcoming Windows Mixed Reality headsets. Acer’s “mixed reality†headsets also feature this capability.
As we look ahead, inside-out tracking holds immense potential. It eliminates the need for bulky external hardware, making VR more accessible and portable. While outside-in tracking currently dominates high-end systems, inside-out tracking is rapidly gaining traction in mobile VR. Over the next decade, we can expect this trend to accelerate, driving innovation and reshaping how we interact with virtual environments.
In conclusion, both approaches have their merits and drawbacks. Outside-in tracking excels in precision and low latency but suffers from practical limitations. Inside-out tracking offers unparalleled freedom but faces challenges in achieving comparable accuracy. Whichever method prevails, one thing is clear: the future of VR is bright, and its evolution will undoubtedly transform industries and redefine immersive experiences.
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