Sixense Heads to Kickstarter, Teams with Virtuix

Motion tracking hardware and software developer Sixense Entertainment said last week that it plans to launch its new wireless motion tracking platform, the STEM System, as a Kickstarter project on September 12. The company claims this new system will precisely capture the user’s every move, both at the desktop and throughout the living room. The system will be ideal for gaming, virtual reality and other applications that require physical interaction.

The STEM System platform will support up to five wireless motion tracking modules, or STEMs, for full position and orientation tracking of the entire body or other configurations. It's also an open platform, meaning software developers can create content with virtually no restrictions, and device makers can embed STEMs for tracking their own peripherals or wearable devices. The second-generation Sixense SDK covers both the new features, and provides backwards compatibility with games and hardware powered by the previous generation, including Razer's Hydra.

Latest Videos FromTom's Hardware

Watch full video here:

"The STEM System is our first Sixense-branded hardware, and it embodies our vision of the ideal user interface for virtual worlds and digital media," said Amir Rubin, co-founder of Sixense. "The funding and feedback we receive from the Kickstarter project will forge an essential partnership between Sixense and a community that has embraced emerging technologies in gaming and VR. By delivering STEM System developer kits to Kickstarter backers first, we will be able to make a much better consumer product than we could on our own."

Sixense Entertainment is the developer responsible for bringing PlayStation Move control to Valve's Portal 2. Founded in 2007, the company has commercialized ultra-precise motion tracking hardware technology and 3D multi-touch software for gaming, fitness, 3DTV control and other interactive applications. Technologies supported include electromagnetic trackers (Razer Hydra), depth cameras (Intel's upcoming desktop camera) and hybrid inertial/optical systems (PS Move).

TOPICS

Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.

9 Comments Comment from the forums

Novulux

Well, I'm already a backer of the other two and have been following this for a while. Can't wait to have it all together!
Reply
funguseater

And once again Kickstarter backers will get pooched with an unfinished Beta test Unit, and when the commercial version hits the shelves it will be cheaper, easier to use and have a warranty. Don't get me wrong, this controller looks amazing but Kickstarter has a terrible track record, look at the Ouya selling in stores BEFORE being shipped to all backers, remember the pebble also selling before people received their correct item. Kickstarter is a great way to fund projects but do not expect a finished product, after all they are using you as product testers.
Reply
alidan

11468728 said:
And once again Kickstarter backers will get pooched with an unfinished Beta test Unit, and when the commercial version hits the shelves it will be cheaper, easier to use and have a warranty. Don't get me wrong, this controller looks amazing but Kickstarter has a terrible track record, look at the Ouya selling in stores BEFORE being shipped to all backers, remember the pebble also selling before people received their correct item. Kickstarter is a great way to fund projects but do not expect a finished product, after all they are using you as product testers.

thats how best buy works, they fill shelves before pre orders are fulfilled, blame them for the ouya

the rift, that was SPECIFICALLY said to be a dev kit, if you got it thinking any different its your problem.

so far, the ouya is about what everyone should have expected from the price and the hardware, and the rift went out of there way to tell you what to expect.
Reply
notsleep

so...how do you use that stapler-looking controller in the picture? i don't see it in the two video clips. it looks rather heavy to hold for extended period of time. :P
Reply
qlum

As someone who has quite enjoyed his razer hydra and the support sixsense gives it I am quite willing to go for this. Like the hydra Support for the controller isn't that important, sure supporting it can add quite a bit but its perfectly valid with just key remapping and considering using mouse and keyboard isn't that good an option when using the rift I'd say controllers like this are ideal as they offer better control then a regular controller and can be used without sight pretty well.

And yes I can type blindly as anyone should however full lack of sight still gets annoying.
Reply
alidan

11470471 said:
so...how do you use that stapler-looking controller in the picture? i don't see it in the two video clips. it looks rather heavy to hold for extended period of time. :P

grow some muscles?

that said, im guessing its a version to simulate grasping something.
at some point it may turn into 5 different points you can grip.
Reply
rwinches

Cool if you move up close to the bottom video you get 3D, pixelated but still.
Reply
virtualban

why not go directly for VR gloves? no tactile feedback on V1.0 maybe, but soon to come
Reply
Mrob760

I'm a developer and own an oculus and the razer hydra. Here is a vid I did that shows what is possible. http://youtu.be/kAQTotpaBSs I will be getting the STEM system so I can support it but I think the PrioVR kickstarter project is going to be far better for tracking your body movement in a VR game environment. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yeitechnology/priovr-get-your-ideas-moving
Reply

Show more comments