Category: KAT Loco

Posted on

Kat VR Updates Wearable Locomotion System With KAT Loco S

KAT VR announced the Kat Loco S today, an updated model of their wearable locomotion system, which is available to order now.

The Loco system provides users with wearable tracking pucks that allow the bottom half of your body to be tracked and used as an input method in VR. By attaching KAT Loco trackers to your legs, you can then walk on the spot to move in VR, as opposed to using artificial methods like a joystick.

This also lets the head and the body operate independently – the head can be looking one way while the body moves in another direction.

kat loco s

The KAT Loco S is the second generation of this technology, succeeding the original KAT Loco that released last year. It features improved motion sensors and new magnetic interference resistance, which KAT says improves stability and performance, as well as simplifying setup and calibration.

In terms of compatibility, the KAT Loco S will work with “all major headsets” including Quest and Quest 2 when used for SteamVR content via Oculus Link or Virtual Desktop. KAT Loco S also works with PlayStation VR, but will require an additional adapter. Keyboard support will also allow players to use the system in non-VR games as well.

The KAT Loco S will cost $229, a slight increase from the original $199 price point, but all units ordered before November 27 will receive a 20% discount, and a 15% discount until December 31.

Posted on

VR Movement System KAT Loco Achieves 365% of Funding Goal

Last month VRFocus reported that KAT VR, the company behind an omnidirectional treadmill system of the same name had not only launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for a new product but had also hit its $50,000 USD goal within the first 24 hours. The Kickstarter came to an end this weekend, easily tripling the funding target.

KAT Loco has managed to attract 1379 backers for the project, selling 1636 units for a total of $182,581 USD. It’s a foot-based locomotion system allowing you to freely walk, run, and carry out just any other movement in VR thanks to sensors on your feet and waist.

Thanks to the success of the campaign the dedicated gaming mat stretch goal was unlocked, helping keep players in one spot so they don’t go running off in VR. The system has also been enhanced in that time, adding motion capture functionality as well.

“Based on the suggestions from our supporters, KAT loco has been additionally enhanced to also provide basic mocap function for VR chat,” said KAT VR in a statement. “Besides its original function of locomotion, it is now also capable of recognizing simple lower body posture and actions. The mocap function can be furtherly expanded based on two sets of KAT loco to provide an even more comprehensive motion capture experience.”

KAT Loco image

“Having wrapped up the campaign after 40 days of a great adventure with our supporters, we are glad to announce that KAT loco has not only been successfully funded but also received VR community interest that greatly outgrew our boldest expectations!” KAT VR adds. “We will continue to polish and perfect the product, and thanks to all the support that we have received from over a hundred countries, KAT loco will soon be ready to officially enter the market.”

The wireless sensors are designed to work with a range of VR headsets including Oculus Rift/Rift S, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest and PlayStation VR (you’ll need an additional adapter “PiSystem” for PlayStation VR.) KAT Loco has been in development since early 2018 and with the Kickstarter now complete, Kat Loco should begin shipping next month to backers. When KAT Loco becomes more widely available, VRFocus will let you know.

Posted on

KAT Loco is the Latest Project to Tackle Movement in VR

When it comes to movement in virtual reality (VR) most players are used to either teleportation or smooth locomotion with a few roomscale shenanigans thrown in for good measure. But there are other avenues which can be explored depending on how immersive you want an experience to be (or how nauseated VR makes you), using hardware like 3dRudder or Cybershoes. KAT VR is another manufacturer having originally created an omnidirectional treadmill. This week the company announced a new locomotion venture, more akin to the Vive Trackers called KAT Loco. 

Unlike its big space consuming omnidirectional treadmill, KAT Loco is a foot-based locomotion system made up of three pucks. Two attach around a user’s ankles while the third attaches to their waist. This enables them to then walk or run on the spot to initiate movement in VR. As movement can be one of the greatest barriers to comfortable VR gameplay, making players physically move in a natural way without needing roomscale or cumbersome tech has proven to be popular.

As you may expect, KAT Loco enables forward movement by simply jogging. But for locomotion to truely work in VR the solution needs to offer more. So players will be able to move backwards, and strafe – essential for first-person shooters (FPS). KAT VR has even included ‘Cruise Control’, enabling players to move in one direction at a particular speed without having to move their legs; which is perfect for large open worlds like Fallout 4 VR.

KAT VR launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign a couple of days ago and managed to achieve its $50,000 USD goal within the first 24 hours. Currently sat at just over $57,000, backing tiers for the system start from $99 for the Early Bird price. There are still plenty left at that price but sales are capped at 500 units.

KAT Loco image2

KAT Loco has been designed to work with as many VR headsets as possible, including Oculus Rift and Quest, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and any others which are SteamVR compatible. While the kit features three sensors, the company is looking into support for up to 16 modules for more complex body tracking.

Deliveries are scheduled to take place in August 2019. As further details are released VRFocus will let you know.