Recently updated on September 21st, 2024 at 04:55 am
Wondering how you can track or capture your whole body movement in virtual reality world? For example if you want to sync your body movement in the VR Chat application or capture it in LIV. Well, SlimeVR trackers might be your answer to this…
Table of Contents
What is SlimeVR?
SlimeVR is a solution to do full-body tracking in virtual reality. It consists of hardware sensors and software that can help to perform the motion tracking of your body.
To add, this is a wireless solution and can perform well in 360-degree. The interesting part is that base station is not required to make it work. Cool!!
Because the devices are also very lightweight, you will be comfortable to wear them for a long period of time. Below is the picture how the SlimeVR sensors looks like…
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How Do You Use SlimeVR?
From the high level, you need to put on the sensor device by strapping it on your body where you want it to track. Like in the pictures below…
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Usually, you will need to place it in your significant body joint like at your legs, limbs and your abdomen. To make it work gracefully, five trackers is sufficient enough. One on each thigh (2 sensors), another on each ankle (2 sensors), and a fifth at the chest (1 sensor). This is example if you want to cover the lower-body movement like legs and waist.
Below is one of the way to place the devices on your body as shown in the “Yellow Box“…
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To turn it into a wireless solution, SlimeVR uses high-quality inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors together with a Wi-Fi connection to your PC.
Perhaps this video below can help you to further understand more on how SlimeVR works…
How Does SlimeVR Works?
Firstly, each of the SlimeVR tracker monitors its own rotation in space. Then, the SlimeVR software uses your proportions and headset location to calculate joint angles and estimate limb positions.
Simply said, it is like having virtual Vive trackers at key positions on your body. Nice!!
They also have Tracker Extensions which are smaller size of trackers without batteries or Wi-Fi. They just connect to the main trackers using wire to provide a simpler way to add additional tracking points.
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This solution has refresh rate of 100 Hz refresh and the playtime is around 15 hours with a built-in 1200 mAh battery. SlimeVR also works with all SteamVR-compatible headsets & Meta Quest 2 platform.
Supported VR Software
There are many popular VR software or games from PC, SteamVR and Quest 2 that support SlimeVR such as VRChat, Liv, NeosVR, and Blade & Sorcery. For Oculus Quest standalone, at this moment it only support VRChat and VRWorkout. Anyway, the list is growing from time to time.
You can also use it for VTubing as well.
Is SlimeVR Using Open Source?
Yes. SlimeVR is developed using open hardware sensors and open source software. They are released under a permissive MIT license. This kind of open design concept allows the VR community to expand on the SlimeVR ecosystem by creating new devices, add compatibility with new software, and improve upon all aspects of the project.
You can learn more details about it inside the SlimeVR Documentation website. If you are into DIY stuffs, the information inside it might excite you.
In case you are a technical guy or developer and want to also contribute to the continuous development of SlimeVR, there is a place for you to do that.
You might want to check out their GitHub repository which they used for their software and firmware development and version control. They have around 400 followers as of 1st July 2023.
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What is the Price of SlimeVR Trackers?
The SlimeVR price is also affordable to the consumers. The price range is from $165.00 to $455.00 and it is available for pre-order.
With the package of $165.00, you can get five SlimeVR trackers which is enough to track the position and rotation of your lower-body part which is your waist, knees and the position of your feet. It also includes five straps and one USB Type-C cable.
Just to make you aware, due to the global chip shortage, the main sensor that they are using which is BNO085, has a long lead time of 28 weeks. Well, better late than never.
Where SlimeVR Comes From?
Slime VR originated from a small company in Rotterdam, Netherlands with the goal to bring accessible VR to wider audience. They are using Crowd Supply as the crowdfunding platform. As of 1st July 2023, there are two team members in the company who are Eiren Rain and Eva Leraine.
To produce this solution to the masses, they work closely with few partners such as LZJ PCB for the boards, AssemTec Europe for the IMU, ICOMold for the injection molding, CEVA for the BNO085 sensor and Mouser Electronics, the Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner and distributor. Great teamwork!!
Lastly…
Well, that’s all for now that we can share on SlimeVR. We think this is a great open source solution for continuous motion tracking development which has strong and supportive community with crowdfunding platform. If you are interested in getting this solution, you can check out the details in the Crowd Supply website.
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