Manus VR has been making data gloves for virtual reality (VR) for some time now, originally looking at the consumer market before solely focusing on the enterprise sector. While its core gloves offer accurate finger tracking for a range of applications – mainly training – today, Manus VR has expanded its lineup to offer three products, the flagship being the Manus Prime Haptic.
Originally revealed a few months ago, the Manus Prime Haptic gloves are the pinnacle of Manus’ technology, not only providing wireless finger tracking thanks to twelve different sensors that measure hand orientation, thumb orientation and flexion of the knuckle and top joint of each finger, but also haptic feedback for each individual finder.
Manus VR has achieved this by using linear resonant actuators which can provide haptic signals depending on the type of material and how much virtual force is applied. Customers can then customise the haptic feedback depending on their needs, with the user interface featuring an integrated material editor to adjust signal strength, frequency and resonance.
The gloves are compatible with any headset using the SteamVR tracking solution, such as HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro. While the gloves provide finger tracking, by themselves they can’t be tracked in a 3D space. Hence why Manus VR provides hand mounts and Vive Trackers with each purchase of the Manus Prime Haptic kit, which retails for €4990 EUR.
The core of the product lineup is Manus Prime One. This is the company’s entry-level wireless data glove, with the same finger tracking capabilities has the Manus Prime Haptic, just without the haptic actuators. Manus Prime One retails for €2990 with the kit also supplied with Vive trackers. The gloves also come supplied with plug-ins for Unity and Unreal Engine.
Finally, there’s the Manus Prime Xsens glove. This has been specifically designed for integration into an Xsens motion capture suit, helping complete the hand and finger data on their IMU suits. Manus Prime Xsens retails for €3990, has the plug-ins but no Vive Trackers.
And that completes the lineup. Resellers can be found on Manus VR’s website with only one in North America currently, quite a few in Asia, and several across Europe. For further Manus VR updates, keep reading VRFocus.