ⓘ SlimeVR
Butterfly Trackers are designed for VR and motion capturing
These relatively inexpensive but accurate trackers can now be preordered. With multiple units, the gadgets can capture full-body movement and are supposedly able to track relatively subtle motions, including movement of individual body parts.
Tracking hand movements in VR is now more or less an industry standard, which is helpful for immersion. More specialized systems can also track fingers or feet. As part of an ongoing Crowd Supply campaign, the SlimeVR Butterfly Trackers are now available and promise very accurate and almost full-body tracking.
These devices might be suitable for a wide range of use cases. VTubers could use it to control their avatars just as VR players could use it in games, and motion capture is also an option. Depending on the requirements, the Butterfly Trackers could also be useful in scientific contexts or for the motion analysis of athletes.
The system consists of multiple individual trackers. They can be attached to different parts of the body via a strap. The trackers themselves weigh less than 0.35 oz and are thinner than 0.28 inches, so they should be rather unobtrusive. The system utilizes IMU sensors to detect movement, and that data can be transmitted over distances of more than 33 ft, for example to a computer, smartphone or headset. The SlimeVR server combines data from these separate sensors.
Most notably, no base stations or cameras are required. The company claims 360-degree coverage since the sensors capture their own data and are not dependent on staying in the line of sight of a camera. Latency is listed as under 15 ms, and precision (or accuracy) is given as 0.39 to 1.97 inches. That likely means very subtle motions, such as trembling, can’t be detected.
According to the manufacturer, there is native support for SteamVR and thus for various games, as well as OSC and VMC. Motion capture in Blender and Unity is said to be rather straightforward with the corresponding plugins. Battery life is listed at more than 48 hours. Backers can reserve a bundle with six trackers for $279, but the usual risks of crowdfunding campaigns apply.
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.
Translator: Enrico Frahn – Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer – 6358 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.