Motion capture potential tapped

Perception Neuron redefines the way you interact with games in a virtual space, with small sensors working in sync to track your movements in real time.

Virtual reality has come a long way in the last few years. A number of companies have made a lot of moves towards improving the overall experience. One of those companies is Perception Neuron.

The limitations of current headsets are just that everything is too ‘in your face.’ While you can move your head around to simulate the action of looking in a virtual environment, you will still be using traditional controller methods or basic motion controllers like the PlayStation Move. However, Perception Neuron has completely redefined the way we interact with games in a virtual space.

You will have to wear a cloth glove on your hand that has its fingertips cut off and sensors placed on each individual finger.

The presence of so many small sensors working in sync means that the game is tracking the movement of each of your fingers, as well as your hand, in real time. When you put the Oculus Rift on over your head, you will be able to see a bright and vibrant carnival setting (that’s in the prototype, which can be changed once it hits the retail market). You will also be able to see your digital hand, representing your own (because of the sensors on your fingers), reach out. The sensors are surprisingly accurate at reading movements. Initially, it takes some getting used to as the glove does not provide any tension or resistance as you touch virtual objects. You will be able to tell if you are holding something only by looking at the game.

When we are completely immersed in a Virtual Reality game it is easy to forget our physical location in the real world. When using the prototype, you will be able to turn your head from side- to- side, see various buckets labelled with different scores, a pile of cans waiting to be knocked over, and a ball waiting to be picked up.

All you have to do is reach out with your hand and close your fingers around the ball to pick it up. You will not have to press any buttons – just grab the ball. Once you use the device, you will be able to do the same with various objects and widen the horizon.

Perception Motion also has an entire full- body set of sensors. In addition to sensors for your arms and hands, they have sensors for your chest, head, back, waist, legs, feet, and just about everything else.

Once it is calibrated and synchronised to your orientation, you will be able to move about freely and watch as every single movement is replicated perfectly on the screen.

The applications of something like this are hard to quantify. It could, perhaps, be used to capture a player’s body type and ensure that his in-game character matched his real life persona. It could have more practical uses, like something on the lines of motion capturing actors in a more affordable and accessible manner. But, maybe, the applications of something like this can be extended beyond the world of games. It all depends on the future!

This article was first published on The Hindu and is available at http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/perception-neuron-redefines-the-way-you-interact-with-games-in-a-virtual-space-with-small-sensors-working-in-sync-to-track-your-movements-in-real-time/article7677648.ece