Google has shown in its blog some experimental drivers for the Lenovo Mirage Solo, with six degrees of freedom.
Lenovo Mirage Solo, which launched in May, already offers 6DOF optical tracking for its viewers but its native driver is just a 3DOF driver. Google is now adding the API to support positional controller tracking with six degrees of freedom, or 6DoF. With 6DoF tracking, we can move our hands more naturally in virtual reality, just as we would in the physical world. To date, this type of experience had been limited to PC VR with external tracking.
They have also created experimental 6dof controllers, which use a unique optical tracking system to get developers to start working with the 6DoF features on the Mirage Solo. Instead of using external cameras and sensors that need to be carefully calibrated, this system uses “machine learning” and the available parts, to accurately estimate the position and three-dimensional orientation of the controllers. This approach can reduce the need for expensive hardware and make 6DoF experiences more accessible to more people.
These experimental drivers are already in the hands of some developers, for now they are only available in the United States.
