Meant to be Seen

geekmaster wrote:

colocolo wrote:i think the image your eyes perceive is different from that what you see
from the screen capture. Your eyes have a build-in image stabilizator, what causes a pretty straight perception, but the screen capture is of course bobbing because the display and tracker are mounted immovable to your head.

When your eyes roll vertically to provide such stabilization, they are autonomically DRIVEN by the vestibular system in your inner ear. But in this VR simulation, that sensory coupling is missing, as can be seen in the video. If you compare the inset video of JanVR to the game video, you will see that while his head is being held so his gaze remains "stabilized" at the REAL horizon, the VR view of the horizon in the video is bobbing, which causes a decoupling between visual and vestibular senses that can cause motion sickness.

I am still feeling a bit dizzy after watching that video with a large FoV monitor, and wearing an HMD with that uncoupled head bobbing cannot be much better (and perhaps worse)...

thats sounds right . ultimately you would get rid
of it with the consumer version of the rift when all DOF are going to be decoupled.

The head bobbling was a bit extreme, indeed. I fixed the Vuzix settings (less sensitive) - the following is a remake:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxwknXZ_fR0[/youtube]

I also tried to increase the FPS, but now the video seems more choppy. I probably should decrease the resolution. I'll get it right next time, ha.

We also have a basic website running (under construction), as well as a Facebook page and Twitter account, in case you want to stay updated:

http://www.virtuix.com

https://www.facebook.com/VirtuixOmni

@virtuixomni (Twitter)

The new prototype is getting shape - looking good (smaller and more appealing). Hope to have it ready next week!

JanVR wrote:The head bobbling was a bit extreme, indeed. I fixed the Vuzix settings (less sensitive) - the following is a remake:
[snip]

I also tried to increase the FPS, but now the video seems more choppy. I probably should decrease the resolution. I'll get it right next time, ha.

MUCH better - I don't think it looked more choppy? There's obviously still some room for improvement, but this video I would (will) actually show people, whereas the former I kept to myself (I have a friend I regularly bombard with VR updates).

There are mods out there to adjust the frequency of the "kill-cam" sequences btw - with VR obviously we don't want the game taking away camera control from us.

Looking forward to seeing the next version of the hardware!

TheHolyChicken wrote:There are mods out there to adjust the frequency of the "kill-cam" sequences btw - with VR obviously we don't want the game taking away camera control from us.

I've heard that there's a mod for first-person kill-cams, too. A google search brought up this. Could work so long as the FPV Kill-Cams don't yank your head movements away from you, and if they do then maybe there could be a mod written for the mod .

As for motion sickness, I don't get any from Jan's videos, even when viewing them with my nose practically touching the screen. Good to know I have high resistance to simulator sickness

twofoe wrote:

TheHolyChicken wrote:There are mods out there to adjust the frequency of the "kill-cam" sequences btw - with VR obviously we don't want the game taking away camera control from us.

I've heard that there's a mod for first-person kill-cams, too. A google search brought up this. Could work so long as the FPV Kill-Cams don't yank your head movements away from you, and if they do then maybe there could be a mod written for the mod .

FPV kill-cams do yank control from you.

Skyrim has a gazillion mods; I'm sure there's lots out there on this theme, but I'm pretty sure the most reliable will simply be to turn the special kills off. There was also a "real first person" mod aiming to give you the ability to properly see your body in first person. Sadly it was pretty glitchy and I don't think they ever got it fixed up properly, as that would be pretty ideal for VR. Hey ho.

This is looking more and more promising.

I will pledge if you kickstart it, no doubt! Keep up the good work

This looks very promising! Now i just need to plan on how to make the wife accept this device in our house...

Virror, especially for you, I will make sure that you can disassemble the device in 20 seconds and shove it under your bed. Your wife does not need to know about it

Yes, great news : D
Thats an instant buy then : )

JanVR wrote:Virror, especially for you, I will make sure that you can disassemble the device in 20 seconds and shove it under your bed. Your wife does not need to know about it

This is a very smart man who knows exactly what he's doing.

woah ... you got an article on Kotaku ..http://kotaku.com/5987894/now-theres-a- ... Socialflow

And pretty positive user comments, too! A very good indicator for future. Sort out a more polished device, with a more polished game interface and a good video and I think you got a winner on your hands.
I am also pleased as it means the big news sites are starting to be more interested in this area (VR stuff), which is great too!

Given the heading I don't really think this was an article on VR, but the comments are much better than I would have expected to be honest.
And I agree - this is a good sign for a polished kickstarter!

Yes, good day today - coverage by NBC News and PC Gamer:

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/in-game/51010333/#51010333

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/03/01/skyri ... treadmill/

I received a couple of other press inquiries for interviews next week. Things are snow balling. Good motivator to keep working hard every day to improve the Omni and get it to VR and gaming enthusiasts!

JanVR wrote:Yes, good day today - coverage by NBC News and PC Gamer:

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/in-game/51010333/#51010333

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/03/01/skyri ... treadmill/

I received a couple of other press inquiries for interviews next week. Things are snow balling. Good motivator to keep working hard every day to improve the Omni and get it to VR and gaming enthusiasts!

That is awesome! I love to read the comments ... some are lazy gamers, but others are really up for this. Good luck man!

And don't forget to offer an alternative to kickstarter for those without a credit card

Congratulations man! Great coverage.

I am super excited to see your progress on the Omni. I sit down all day at a PC to work so to be able to get up and run around when gaming is a big plus for me.

And to see it getting press releases already, congratulations. I can't wait to support your kickstarter and have one of these in my gaming room.

Some interesting comments Jan posted today at the unofficial "Oculus Rift Community Forums":

"The new prototype will have a 48" diameter."
http://oculusrift.com/viewtopic.php?f=4 ... 6000#p5987

"Picture of new prototype should come as soon as early next week. "
http://oculusrift.com/viewtopic.php?f=4 ... 6000#p6000

GeraldT wrote:

JanVR wrote:Yes, good day today - coverage by NBC News and PC Gamer:

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/in-game/51010333/#51010333

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/03/01/skyri ... treadmill/

I received a couple of other press inquiries for interviews next week. Things are snow balling. Good motivator to keep working hard every day to improve the Omni and get it to VR and gaming enthusiasts!

That is awesome! I love to read the comments ... some are lazy gamers, but others are really up for this. Good luck man!

And don't forget to offer an alternative to kickstarter for those without a credit card

Also PC Games Hardware, a german pc magazine published an article about it on their website.
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/Kickstart ... r-1058541/

when will the kickstarter start?

colocolo wrote:Also PC Games Hardware, a german pc magazine published an article about it on their website.
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/Kickstart ... r-1058541/

Nice find - also a nice news article. Comments are promising:

"Meine Gebete wurden erhöhrt, das ding is ja mega genial NEEED!!! "

my prayers have been answered, that thing is mega ingenius NEEED!!! (sounds like you have at least one potential customer in Germany )

JanVR wrote:Yes, good day today - coverage by NBC News and PC Gamer:

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/in-game/51010333/#51010333

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/03/01/skyri ... treadmill/

I received a couple of other press inquiries for interviews next week. Things are snow balling. Good motivator to keep working hard every day to improve the Omni and get it to VR and gaming enthusiasts!

Keep up the great work Jan! I'm clearing out space in my house as we speak

colocolo wrote:Also PC Games Hardware, a german pc magazine published an article about it on their website.
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/Kickstart ... r-1058541/

Google Chrome's English translation is hilarious:

"Thanks to Kinect touches the young man that the videos show below, with his own legs through the vastness of Skyrim."

Kirito wrote:when will the kickstarter start?

probably in a couple of months. Don't wanna say more if Jan isn't disclosing dates

ftarnogol wrote:

Kirito wrote:when will the kickstarter start?

probably in a couple of months. Don't wanna say more if Jan isn't disclosing dates

aww to bad

ftarnogol wrote:

Kirito wrote:when will the kickstarter start?

probably in a couple of months. Don't wanna say more if Jan isn't disclosing dates

Interesting. Are you working with him?

Trying to get the Kickstarter going as fast as possible, but preparing for shooting the video + interviews, and then the actual production of the video will take time... It's unfortunate that video production houses don't work around the clock as I do, ha.

Some more press coverage today:

http://www.jacehallshow.com/news/interv ... interview/

http://babysoftmurderhands.com/2013/03/ ... tuix-omni/

This is great Jan! I really like the new prototype, it looks much more polished and compact.

One question though: it seems like there is large area between each of the octagon's sections where there are no grooves. What happens if the user steps on those flat areas? Perhaps you can reduce the groove-less gaps in the next prototype?

Thanks

I really like the press photos of the new prototype:


I did a cross-eyed stereoscopic view of these images.
If you tilt your head a little to the left (just right),
it looks pretty good in 3D (except for the gate).

I am looking forward to owning one of these some day.

Hi Zoide, good question. There is indeed somewhat of a gap in between sections in the current prototype, since the prototype consists of wood and screws (the gap is the required space for the screws). However, functionally, this does not bother (even though the fewer screws, the better). Luckily, the final product will be molded and won't have any screws, so this problem won't exist.

Where do you get your groovy plastic?

When a hippie sees you on one of these, and says "That's groovy dude!", it will mean a whole new thing...

JanVR wrote:Hi Zoide, good question. There is indeed somewhat of a gap in between sections in the current prototype, since the prototype consists of wood and screws (the gap is the required space for the screws). However, functionally, this does not bother (even though the fewer screws, the better). Luckily, the final product will be molded and won't have any screws, so this problem won't exist.

what do you mean by molded? steel?

colocolo wrote:

JanVR wrote:Hi Zoide, good question. There is indeed somewhat of a gap in between sections in the current prototype, since the prototype consists of wood and screws (the gap is the required space for the screws). However, functionally, this does not bother (even though the fewer screws, the better). Luckily, the final product will be molded and won't have any screws, so this problem won't exist.

what do you mean by molded? steel?

"Molded", as in plastic extruded into molds, just like most plastic objects we see around us. For example, the plastic parts for the shell of the Oculus Rift are injection molded into these tooling molds:



Plastic and steel use different terminologies. When steel is poured into molds, it is "cast". And for finer detail, it is then "machined". Final detail on plastic is not "machined", but is instead "pressed", such as when pressing grooves into CDs or DVDs or Blu-Ray or holograms.

The Virtuix Omni will need something similar to what is shown in the photos above, to mold its plastic parts, including the grooved floor panel(s).

Zoide wrote:

ftarnogol wrote:

Kirito wrote:when will the kickstarter start?

probably in a couple of months. Don't wanna say more if Jan isn't disclosing dates

Interesting. Are you working with him?

Nope, we've been talking back and forth as both our "products" complement themselves and we were planning to launch the Kickstarter around the same date.

I finally decided not to use kickstarter for now as my project is more oriented to scientific development/psych treatments and kickstarter is more commercially oriented. I'll probably be using microryza or indiegogo.

ftarnogol wrote:Nope, we've been talking back and forth as both our "products" complement themselves and we were planning to launch the Kickstarter around the same date.

I finally decided not to use kickstarter for now as my project is more oriented to scientific development/psych treatments and kickstarter is more commercially oriented. I'll probably be using microryza or indiegogo.

Ah! I see now, you're the guy with the VR exposure therapy project I'd love it if your project could help me get over my irrational fear of cockroaches! (I'm serious)

JanVR wrote:Hi Zoide, good question. There is indeed somewhat of a gap in between sections in the current prototype, since the prototype consists of wood and screws (the gap is the required space for the screws). However, functionally, this does not bother (even though the fewer screws, the better). Luckily, the final product will be molded and won't have any screws, so this problem won't exist.

Ah, that's good to know

Another thing I noticed is that the groove-less area in the middle of the latest Omni prototype is fairly large. I take it this area is needed so that you can support your body with one foot while you move the other one forward. I wonder though: what do you do with the pin on the shoe that stays back in the groove-less area? I suppose there's nowhere for it to fit into. Does that mean that that foot is propped up on the pin? How long is the pin? It seems like that could cause some discomfort.

Perhaps the center region could consist of a series of hard bristles or pins such that the shoe sole's pin fits in between them but the rest of the shoe does not sink. Perhaps something similar to artificial grass or to plastic dart boards. An even cheaper solution which might be the ideal one is the use of some kinds of door mats.

Zoide wrote:

ftarnogol wrote:Nope, we've been talking back and forth as both our "products" complement themselves and we were planning to launch the Kickstarter around the same date.

I finally decided not to use kickstarter for now as my project is more oriented to scientific development/psych treatments and kickstarter is more commercially oriented. I'll probably be using microryza or indiegogo.

Ah! I see now, you're the guy with the VR exposure therapy project I'd love it if your project could help me get over my irrational fear of cockroaches! (I'm serious)

Hey Zoide, yup, that's me

For v1.0 I'll just "feature" spiders, but it's a matter of adding other animals in subsequent iterations. Cockroaches and pigeons are at the top of the list

ftarnogol wrote:Hey Zoide, yup, that's me

For v1.0 I'll just "feature" spiders, but it's a matter of adding other animals in subsequent iterations. Cockroaches and pigeons are at the top of the list

Pigeons? I had no idea people were afraid of those I do avoid them because I've heard that they spread a lot of diseases. It really bothers me that people feed them breadcrumbs at the outdoor areas of the hospital I go to