Finch Technologies has been making 6 degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) controllers since 2016, creating devices for the likes of Gear VR and then HTC Vive Focus. Today, the company is focusing its efforts towards mixed reality (MR) with its latest device, the FinchRing, revealed as part of a partnership with Nreal during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai.
Designed to be intuitive, bringing hands-free gesture control to MR products as well as laptops and smartphones, FinchRing’s patented IMU technology means it isn’t hampered by a headset’s FoV tracking. That tracking freedom enables FinchRing to be used both inside and outside, unaffected by lighting conditions.
The small device attaches to the index finger and comes equipped with haptic feedback, a touchpad and a force sensor. The battery allows for four hours of use, being able to recharge to 80% in 20 minutes the company claims. The FinchRing itself is capable of 3DoF with 6DoF flexibility achieved in combination with the FinchTracker which attaches to an armband strap.
“Natural 360-degree movement in mixed reality has been one of the major challenges holding back the mainstream XR market and is something developers and consumers alike have been waiting for,” says Gary Yamamoto, CEO of Finch Technologies in a statement. “At Finch, we combine the best proprietary 3D tracking technology, devices and software solutions to create natural user interactions for mixed reality, with no break in action or motion, so the promise of mixed reality for both consumers and enterprise can be fully realized. We can’t wait to see what developers create with our hands-free FinchRing controller.”
Finch Technologies will be selling the device in two bundles. The FinchRing and FinchTracker will be sold as a developers kit with a second bundle include an Nreal Light. Prices and availability have yet to be announced.
Nreal also revealed at MWC that it was scaling up plans to launch the Nreal Light in Europe and the US. “With the initial success we’ve seen with our
carrier partners, we’re scaling this strategy and excited to get Nreal Light into the hands of American consumers by April of this year,” said Chi Xu, CEO and Founder at Nreal.
As Finch and Nreal release further details, VRFocus will keep you updated.