Yaw2 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

June 8, 2021

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

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.

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).

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.

May 4, 2021June 8, 2021

Yaw2 Motion Simulator Chair Garners Over $2.7M on Kickstarter

Following the original Yaw motion simulator chair in 2018, which garnered Yaw VR over $200,000 on Kickstarter funding, Yaw VR returned to the crowdfunding platform to bring Yaw2 to life, a less compact, but decidedly more advanced motion simulator chair. The startup’s latest campaign is now over, and it’s garnered over $2.7 million backers eagerly awaiting the consumer-focused motion chair.

Update (June 8th, 2021): In the week since we last reported, Yaw2 has seen a substantial surge in backers, bringing its overall funds to over $2.7 million. Surprisingly, over $200,000 was pledged in the last few hours of that campaign, or around the total amount attracted in the entirety of its 2018 campaign.

Yaw VR has yet to announce direct pre-orders, which will be available at some point via its website.

Update (June 1st, 2021): Yaw2 just got over the $2 million mark today, which unlocks the campaign’s highest-projected stretch goal. Now, backers will get side support rails with their Yaw2 chairs, which will allow users to mount handbrakes, gear shifters or other accessories.

Two weeks ago the project was at $1.5 million, so there’s no telling how much higher it can go in the remaining time. The campaign comes to an official close on June 7th, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for further stretch goals.

Original Article (May 5th, 2021): Yaw2 is being billed as a ‘consumer-grade’ motion simulator, and that isn’t such a big stretch on the lower end of the cheapest remaining funding tier, which costs $1,090. That tier doesn’t include the actual chair bit, or modular ‘yaw platform’ which lets you swivel 360 degrees though. Still, the hardware platform seems to have struck a chord with simulator diehards, prosumers and arcades alike when it launched late last month on Kickstarter. At that time, that model was offered as cheap as $790.

Now Yaw2 has already exploded past the initial funding goal of $100,000, having broken the $1 million mark in the first week since its April 23rd launch. It’s not showing any signs of stopping either. Yaw2 has garnered nearly $1,150,000 with a little over a month left to go before the campaign’s close.

In comparison to the original 2018 version, which features 3DOF motion and a pretty compact seat that fits snuggly inside a spherical dome, Yaw2 seems to be a much more conventional motion platform thanks to its larger footprint, adjustable desk, and ability to integrate your own chair.

If you want the most basic version of Yaw2 with 3DOF movement, which includes a modular ‘yaw platform’ for 360-degree swiveling, you’ll need to pony up ~~$2,020~~ $1,470, which decidedly puts it right on the edge of the consumer category. That too doesn’t come with the seat portion itself, which you can either add yourself, or buy direct from Yaw VR for an additional $75 – $100 depending on how quick you are with your wallet.

The company says Yaw2 is compatible with all major VR headsets, including Oculus Quest, PSVR, and SteamVR-compatible headsets. Although many game engines offer motion simulator support, the game itself should have support baked in. Yaw VR is boasting many games with native motion simulator support, some of which include Elite Dangerous, Dirt Rally 2.0, Project Cars 2, MS Flight Simulator, and Fly Inside to name a few.

All versions are slated to ship in September 2021, which also includes both pro and arcade versions with higher wattage output and stronger motors. Check out the Yaw2 Kickstarter for the full technical specs.

The post Yaw2 Motion Simulator Chair Garners Over $2.7M on Kickstarter appeared first on Road to VR.

April 27, 2021

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

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.

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.

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.