Soulart is developing a standalone motion tracking device, dubbed the 'Station', which could bring full body tracking to SteamVR applications without requiring a VR headset to be present. This device functions similarly to Valve's Base Stations but operates independently using its own Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
How Soulart's Station Works
The Station is designed to map movements within an area of up to 50 square meters and operates at a 120 Hz refresh rate. While the company acknowledges that its machine learning approach may introduce slightly higher latency and error, it aims to provide a robust solution for virtual reality experiences, particularly targeting VRChat. The system can be integrated with SteamVR, making its tracking data usable in any game that supports this level of motion capture.
While a single Station is functional, Soulart suggests that multiple units would improve tracking accuracy. The device is currently in early production, with pricing information indicating it will cost under $400 per unit. A Kickstarter campaign is planned for its future release.
Expanding Beyond Headset Tracking
Valve's existing SteamVR ecosystem traditionally relies on Base Stations, which emit infrared signals to track the precise position of headsets and controllers. These external units are also used by some third-party headsets for tracking. Soulart's approach bypasses this requirement, offering a potentially more accessible path to full body tracking.
The company has indicated via its X account that it is developing standalone support for Steam Frame, suggesting that the Station could eventually work without needing a separate PC. This development could further streamline the setup process for VR enthusiasts.
Alternative solutions like Fluxpose also exist, utilizing numerous 6DOF trackers that can be attached to various body parts. These also integrate with SteamVR, primarily for applications like VRChat that benefit from detailed full-body avatar movement.