We already know more details of the system used by Valve for absolute positioning, it is called Lighthouse and it will be able to scan our environment to detect the exact position of the devices prepared for it, such as HTC, Vive and handheld controllers.
But that’s not all, since Valve allows other manufacturers the possibility of licensing Lighthouse technology for free, being able to be incorporated into all kinds of devices such as televisions or smartphones. Lighthouse enables high-resolution, high-speed positional tracking with sub-millimeter accuracy, and will be the system employed by HTC Re Vive when it becomes commercially available later this year.
Its operation has not yet been revealed, but since Lighthouse means lighthouse, we understand that it is a system that emits a laser or infrared signal that is received by the sensors incorporated in devices such as Re Vive or hand controllers, detecting their absolute position in our room. The system that Valve will commercialize at the end of the year incorporates two emitters that we will have to place in the corners of the room, which can be a maximum size of 5×5 meters, an area more than enough to move comfortably in a controlled space. It is clear that not everyone will be able to dedicate an obstacle-free space to install this technology, but the lucky ones who can do so will be able to enjoy unthinkable experiences until very recently, and although it remains to be seen what we do with the cable that goes to the HMD… can you imagine having to defend a 25 m2 position where we can camp at our ease against waves of enemies in virtual reality? Surely more than one has come to mind scenes from The Walking Dead or The Lord of the Rings.
