Since the reveal that Sony are
indeed working on a successor to the PlayStation 4, there has been a great deal
of speculation on if the company are intending on continuing with virtual
reality (VR) for the new console. A new patent filed by Sony suggests that the
future of VR for Sony will involve hand-tracking. Though for the most part the
PlayStation VR has been positively received by users, one of the most
criticised elements of the set-up has been the PlayStation Move controllers,
and the new patent would ditch the controllers entirely and see players controlling
VR using just their hands. The patent, published on 11th October, 2018, is
titled ‘Gaming Device With Rotatably Placed Cameras’. The patent was looked at
more closely as analysts and fans began speculation on what shape the ‘PlayStation
5’ might take. The specifics of the patent describes a system which can
identify fingers on a hand by using devices mounted on each wrist, similar to a
wristwatch or fitness tracker, which transmits infrared light.
Cameras on the headset can pick
up this light, while cameras on the wrist device identify the location and
position of the fingers. This would create an inside-out tracking system, which
would replace the current tracking method used by the PlayStation VR, which
uses a two-lens camera to track the headset, Dual Shock 4 controller and
PlayStation Move controllers. The patent also mentions the potential for
trackers mounted on the ankles, which could incorporate foot tracking, which
has potential for games such as FIFA, or martial-arts themed titles. There is
also a suggestion that wireless transmission could be incorporated, which would
allow users to enjoy VR untethered. The idea that Sony has been working on this
kind of ‘daisy chain’ method for tracking has been mentioned before, and patents
had previously surfaced for new controllers which utilised individual finger
tracking. Only time will tell what Sony does with this technology, but VRFocus
will be sure to keep reporting on it.
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