Category: motion simulator

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Kinerse Designs a Human-Powered Motion Simulator

Virtual reality (VR) fans want whatever title they’re playing to be as immersive as possible. And while that’s partially achieved in-game, having additional hardware accessories tends to come in handy. These can range from cheap gun stocks all the way up to expensive omnidirectional treadmills. But what if there was a cheaper, “build your own” option? Enter the human-powered motion simulator from Kinerse.

Kinerse Motion Platform

That’s right, Kinerse has designed a motion simulator that combines VR with what looks like a bedroom go-kart for kids. As you can see from the demo trailer below there are two arm controls on wooden rockers with a third rocker underneath the players’ seat. Designed to be used in conjunction with a Meta Quest 2, with controllers mounted on the arm and base of the unit, players can then lean and sway their way through a race for that enhanced feel of driving around a corner.

It does look like an ingenious setup, built more as a fun experiment to eventually play Kinerse’s Andromeda Sports. Here’s the best bit, it’s an open-source project that you can download from GitHub and build yourself. Looking at the control scheme there aren’t going to be many (if any) videogames available that would support the motion simulator but it’s a fun idea nonetheless.

What this human-powered motion simulator does showcase is the ingenuity within the VR community to come up with inventive solutions that are accessible to all; rather than locked behind an expensive price tag. The simulator doesn’t look particularly comfortable in its current form but add a cushion here and some padding there and you’ll have a safe VR accessory the kids can use without bumping into the wall.

Kinerse Motion Platform

Or, if you love the idea of the human-powered motion simulator but lack the necessary skills or tools to build the thing then Kinerse does have plans to sell them. Currently, you can register your pre-order interest with the company although no details have been released regarding price or a release date as development is still in the early stages.

If you do have the cash to splash then there’s always the new Kat Walk C2 Kickstarter which begins in four days, with early bird prices starting at $698 for the omnidirectional treadmill.

For further updates on Kinerse’s human-powered motion simulator, keep reading gmw3.

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The Yaw2 Kickstarter Has Raised a Massive $2.7m for its Motion Simulator

Yaw2

Yesterday saw the conclusion of the Yaw2 Motion Simulator Kickstarter and it has been a huge success. Launched in April, over the course of 45 days Yaw VR has managed to raise a staggering $2.7 million USD from 1282 backers, quite the feat considering the base model cost a grand and it’s not exactly a small device.

Yaw2

Building upon its more unusual looking 2018 model which was showcased at CES that year and featured a design akin to sitting in a giant green bowl, the new Yaw2 is certainly a lot sleeker than its forebear. New looks also mean new features with the Yaw2 a bit more of a complex beast as it comes in several variations. The base model provides a 40° motion range for roll and 70° for pitch movements and doesn’t come supplied with the actual chair. Customers can then add the Yaw Platform module to provide full 360° rotation as well as opting for a chair from Yaw VR if they so wish.

The lack of an actual chair is for a number of reasons including cost, delivery and the assumption that most gamers buying a piece of hardware like the Yaw2 will probably have a decent chair to attach to it. In that regard, all you’d need to do is check the underside of the chair is flat for attachment purposes.

As you’d expect, to get to that whopping total from that many backers the Yaw2 isn’t exactly wallet-friendly but you are buying a full-motion simulator after all. The base 2DoF Yaw2 model is going for $1090 without a seat, whilst the full 360° experience will set you back $1470 (sans seat). Or for those really serious about gaming simulator in or outside of VR then there’s always the Yaw2 Pro. This beast adds more powerful motors, a smart plug to attach fans and other accessories, casters for mobility and a USB hub. How much you ask? The 2DoF Yaw2 Pro costs $1490 and the 360°model will set you back $2020 (again both without seats).

Yaw2

And due to the success of the Kickstarter Yaw VR has managed to hit all of its stretch goals. That means customers have a choice of colours to choose from as well as a range of cool new features. There will be a wristband kill switch if it all gets a bit too much, a gyro balancing cup holder to keep those beverages in place and a 4-point harness system for maximum safety.

The original Yaw is still on sale but if you fancy the Yaw2 and didn’t back the Kickstarter it’ll be available to pre-order via the Yaw VR website soon. The Yaw2 is currently expected to begin shipping in September 2021. For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

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Yaw2 Motion Simulator Smashes Kickstarter Goal Day One, Currently at $900k

Yaw2

For years XR companies have been striving to create and build solutions to complement virtual reality (VR) headsets, so that content can be immersive as possible. Yaw VR showcased its first motion simulator back in 2018, offering a rather unique device to those through crowd-funding platform Kickstarter. Last week the company launched a new campaign for its latest device, Yaw2, managing to easily surpass its initial goal of $100,000 USD on the first day.

Yaw2

Moving away from the small, portable, half dome-shaped original, the Yaw2 is a far more professional-looking beast designed not only for hardcore gamers but also for general work and relaxation use cases. The base motion simulator hardware provides a 40° motion range for roll, and 70° for pitch movements whilst the optional Yaw Platform module adds 360° rotation.

Compatible with most major headsets including Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, PlayStation VR, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, when it comes to content the Yaw VR Game Engine supports over 20 titles whilst Yaw’s Sim Racing Studio supports over 80 racing titles. These include the likes of Project CARS 2, Star Wars Squadrons, DiRT Rally 2.0, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Touring Karts.

This level of immersion obviously does come at a price, with a variety of options depending on how serious (money you have) you are when it comes to your gaming habit. To start off with the Yaw2 comes in standard, Pro and Pro Arcade versions, the base model supplied with 500w power, adjustable basic desk, and foot holder, static LED lights, and a mobile controller app. The Pro model ups those stats to 700w, a stronger structure, USB connectors, programmable LED lights, and an audio output.

Yaw2

With the Early Access offers quickly selling out the base Yaw2 model is going for $1090 without a seat. To get the full 360° experience you’ll need to go for the $1470 tier. When it comes to the Yaw2 Pro these prices jump to $1490 and $2020 respectively. Yaw VR sells its motion simulator without a chair as standard because a lot of serious gamers – you need to be serious for this kind of kit – may already have a chair they love, plus it increases the cost of shipping Yaw2. But the company will supply a chair if you so wish as an add-on. If you do own a nice gaming chair all you need to check to ensure compatibility is that the underneath is flat.

In five days the Yaw2 Kickstarter has managed to hit $900,000 and the campaign doesn’t end until June. So there’s plenty of time to reach that magical $1 million mark. As the crowdfunding continues VRFocus will keep you updated.

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Have a Ball in VR With Eight360’s Extreme Motion Simulator NOVA

Eight360 NOVA

There have been plenty of hardware examples designed to make virtual reality (VR) as immersive as possible whilst reducing motion sickness. From Virtuix and its Omni treadmill to the seated Yaw VR motion simulator they all have their pros and cons when looking for that ideal solution. Quite possibly the most impressive to look at is Wellington, New Zealand-based Eight360‘s motion simulator NOVA.

Eight360 NOVA
Eight360 Founder/CEO Terry Miller with NOVA prototypes. Image credit: Eight360

The brainchild of Terry Miller and George Heather-Smith, NOVA offers a completely untethered platform for VR simulations and gaming purposes. Developed over the past 4 years, NOVA’s spherical design allows for unlimited rotation in whichever direction the user decides thanks to three omni wheels.

Now in its third iteration which is ready for commercial production, everything is contained inside the giant sphere which the user sits in; PC, battery, chair and harness, VR headset and then the required control scheme – a steering wheel and pedals for example. The entire unit is built with standard off the shelf parts where possible for easy maintenance.

Taking up just over 2x2m of floor space and weighing in at less than 500 kg (1,100 lb) the motion simulator is already compatible with titles such as DCS: World, X-Plane and NoLimits2 – Roller Coaster simulator. NOVA has been designed to simulate as many vehicle forces as possible, whether that’s a plane tilting to the bumps and crashes of a racing experience like Dirt Rally.

Eight360 NOVA
Eight360 NOVA – 2018 prototype. Image Credit: Eight360

While the NOVA certainly looks impressive and you’re probably adding it to your VR wish list, its not aimed at the gaming market and likely won’t be appearing in your local VR arcade. The company is looking at various industrial and military use cases due to the costs involved. Eight360’s first customer was the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). “We’re looking to lease them as a hardware as a service model,” Miller said to New Atlas. “With ongoing maintenance and upgrades. It’ll be on the order of US$150k a year. So heavy, yeah.”

Eight360 has now begun taking orders for the NOVA from interested organisations. As the company continues to expand, VRFocus will keep you updated.

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Kickstarter Project Yaw VR Motion Simulator Makes VR More Immersive Than Ever

Immersive visuals, immersive sound, it’s all possible with virtual reality (VR) but immersive motion continues to be one of the biggest hurdles in VR. Unless you have some sort of large, complicated cockpit set up, then immersive motion in VR is nearly impossible, other than the few square feet available to you in a room scale VR experience. But a new Kickstarter project from Intellisense is promising us Yaw VR, a compact motion simulator that will greatly enhance videogames and experiences.

yaw vr motion simulator

Yaw is a small seat which offers a great deal of motion, including full 360 degree swivel. VR applications that use Yaw VR can make the seat tilt, shake and spin around, so the motions you make in VR, you can roughly feel in real life. We’ve seen VR chairs before, but this is impressive.

Yaw VR demoed at CES 2018, Las Vegas, where users were able to experience the new motion simulator which gave users an impressive VR experience while using a Samsung Gear VR head-mounted display (HMD). You can see the video of impressions from CES 2018 below.

Preordering Yaw VR will give you 4 Yaw VR videogames, compatible with Gear VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The Kickstarter page also notes that Yaw VR should hopefully be compatible with major games on “the most important VR platforms.” PC VR HMDs is a given, but I wonder if that insinuates we might see a PlayStation VR compliant version also.

It measures 29 inches in diameter, and 15 inches high when folded, meaning you have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to storing the device, considering the things it can do. Of course it can swivel 360 degrees, but it can also move 50 degrees on the horizontal axis, making users feel like they are really leaning into turns and feeling G forces – even if, of course, they are not.

The Kickstarter says Yaw VR is made for VR gaming, allowing players to get deeper into virtual worlds. One excellent use case shown is a racing steering wheel attached to the front of the chair, with pedals on the foot rest, making a realistic racing experience.

It’s tempting, but at £629 for the base Early Bird version of the unit, some consumers might get put off. Still, it’s sure to provide the most immersive and compact motion simulator experience, so many enthusiasts may see it as a necessary purchase. For all of the latest news on VR gaming peripherals, keep reading VRFocus.

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It’s Ok to Be Jealous of This $25,000 VR Racing Rig, We Are Too

What do you do when you want to push VR racing simulation to the limit of immersion? This.

Played with just a headset and a controller, Dirt Rally in VR is a pretty awesome experience. But if you veer off of down the path of Sim Racing at the corner where it intersects with VR, you’ll end up being able to push the envelope significantly further with the help of some accessories. And while a racing wheel is a great starting point for immersion, if money is no object, there’s plenty to spend it on.

YouTube user machkun1 posted a video this week (heading this article) showing what it looks like to race Dirt Rally VR with a top notch system consisting of the following:

You can find the same user with a similar rig playing Eve: Valkyrie (2016). In this video you can hear how load the motion simulator actually is, in which case we’d definitely recommend the use of the noise-blocking Oculus Rift earphones.

The post It’s Ok to Be Jealous of This $25,000 VR Racing Rig, We Are Too appeared first on Road to VR.