My VR controller (SprintR) - Now for Sale

Discussion of tools and products that add VR physicality. Samples include VR treadmills, special hand controllers, gesture technology and more.
Post Reply
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

My VR controller (SprintR) - Now for Sale

Post by Peterk »

Hi all,

I started working on a VR controller a while ago to solve the movement issues we see in so many games. I came up with a design for something I call "SprintR". I wanted to share it with you, and get your thoughts on the device.

Here's a bit of info: SprintR is a wireless footpad that lets you walk, run, and jump in VR. It's a 4-axis controller, meaning it allows you to not only move F/B/L/R, but it also lets your turn, and even jump by pressing it down.


Some videos outlining why I made this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngdjDq_kPHM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlEvTScAMdM
Last edited by Peterk on Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:53 pm, edited 5 times in total.
User avatar
cybereality
3D Angel Eyes (Moderator)
Posts: 11406
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:18 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by cybereality »

You know what? That's pretty cool and looks genuinely useful.
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Thanks man, I appreciate it! I was just reading your blog the other day :)

Do you think adding buttons for your feet would be helpful? Currently I'm considering adding 2 buttons for leaning , one for crouch, and an extra for whatever you want to map it to.
User avatar
cybereality
3D Angel Eyes (Moderator)
Posts: 11406
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:18 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by cybereality »

Yeah, I gotta get some new content for the blog. I've been slacking a bit. Thanks for checking it out, though.

Not sure it really needs buttons, as that may be more confusing, but it's your call.
konstantin_lozev
Cross Eyed!
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 1:43 am

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by konstantin_lozev »

Oh, loved the Youtube video! As a function, this looks a bit like a wii balance board, instead of leaning, you are sliding your feet in the direction and you are also able to turn. I am not entirely sure of the actual use scenarios, especially for the turning in VR, though. maybe a Unity Project with some basic mechanics demonstrating that in the best way would help...
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Yeap, video's are coming up. I have videos of version one, but I'll post them once I take some cool videos of version two. I'd like to setup two cameras so you can see the motion of the device and the screen side by side.

- Peter
Joshflighter
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2015 1:56 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Joshflighter »

Hey Guys,
As part of the new TIMES magazine team, we are now having Peter Kojesta on our cover. Very WIP at the moment, as this is all NDA.

Version 1:
Image

After much critique:
Image
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Hilarious. Josh works at the same place it do, and he's insane. Please be aware :D
weirdbun
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2015 12:22 am

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by weirdbun »

Wow. what a way to create a controller in VR.
Impressive stuff. hope to hear more about it.
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

VR + FPS (SprintR enabled).

This is a video of an FPS demo we made using our VR controller SprintR. In this video, the mouse is controlling the gun, the Oculus is controlling the head/VR, and the SprintR is controlling all character movement (walking/turning). So, this is me testing SprintR with a VR FPS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBUbnMgyV0
Last edited by Peterk on Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
cybereality
3D Angel Eyes (Moderator)
Posts: 11406
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:18 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by cybereality »

Good stuff.
konstantin_lozev
Cross Eyed!
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 1:43 am

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by konstantin_lozev »

Great, now I have a better idea how this i supposed to work! One concern only from observing - the foot yaw may be a bit nausea concerning...
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Hi konstantin,

the controller reduces motion sickness greatly, not the other way around. The yaw feels very natural.
konstantin_lozev
Cross Eyed!
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 1:43 am

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by konstantin_lozev »

You might be right, when I look at it again, it might feel like turning with ski or roller blades...
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

https://www.facebook.com/SprintRVR/

Hey guys, we're showing SprintR off at GDC (game developers conference) this year. We're also doing a give-away of 3 GDC passes, so please consider entering. SprintR is going to accept pre-orders when the show starts, so full VR movement is within reach! Join our facebook page/contest to win the GDC passes (link at top).


Image
Bluedeath
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 4:48 am

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Bluedeath »

You are a genius!
fatboynate2
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:05 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by fatboynate2 »

i always wanted something like this, imagine having one for each foot though, would be better to just use one (with a dummy for comfort) and have a haptic feedback sock or strip or sole to put in ur shoe or sock so u get a vibration from walking on different surfaces or high jumps or drops that would be amazing cause you will forget that only one foot is making u move.

games from ubi-openworld-soft would benefit for this, but may i ask to concider the hatpic feedback for both feet and maybe a dual foot version for desk play since a retangular version would make use of feautures such as built in haptic feedback as well as room inside for future developments down the line as more tech becomes usefull. i want to be on a mailing list when this is released!

EDIT:

just pre-ordered, cant wait to get this thing working on my cabinet and use with my dk2, i may even try to see if i can use it to control my 2stroke rc car, since the controller atm is my win 7netbook and xbone controller
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Thanks for the pre-order mate. The units are in manufacturing now, so I'll have an update for you as soon as they're ready to ship to you.

anyone else who wants to pre-order can get it here: https://www.sprintrvr.com/order/

The makers of Serious Sam, Croteam, have already spoken to us about a SprintR version of their Hit game, so you'll be able to jump right into a badass FPS from the get go.

More news coming!

GDC 2017 Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywpLxoj1530
User avatar
cybereality
3D Angel Eyes (Moderator)
Posts: 11406
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:18 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by cybereality »

Awesome!
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Got the first devkit boxes in. Actual units are still in production, so there's an older prototype sprintR in the box, but now we know what the package looks like!

See Below...

had to program the chips manually :? :

Image
Last edited by Peterk on Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
cybereality
3D Angel Eyes (Moderator)
Posts: 11406
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:18 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by cybereality »

Nice looking box.
Jabberwock
Cross Eyed!
Posts: 196
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2015 3:58 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Jabberwock »

Does it work with hand controllers? It would seem that if you input movement into VR without moving your body (i.e. also hands), in full room software your virtual hands would remain at the same place while your virtual head/body would move... At least, that is the problem I am facing with my custom controller.
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

Cyber: Thank you, I appreciate that!

Jabber: It works with hand controls, all the headsets, phones. We've never had the issue you're describing.

You should consider adding code to your project where your in-game hands are in some way parented to your character body (even if it doesn't have one). In real life you hands move with your body cuz they're attached, nothing wrong with duplicating that in VR.
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR)

Post by Peterk »

SprintR is live and for sale!

https://www.sprintrvr.com/order/
Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that SprintR is officially available for sale. Retails for $149 + shipping.

  • Players can walk, run, and jump using SprintR
  • Loads as a standard gamepad.
  • Works with Mobile and PC
  • SprintR is wired or wireless; it can do both.
  • Works with all headsets and motion controllers
  • Use in regular or VR games.
  • No need to sweat through your HMD just to get around in VR!
Final unit and box:

Image

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr9V63bwA7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMCnKkHp8DM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOwKFOwxxRk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywpLxoj1530
User avatar
cybereality
3D Angel Eyes (Moderator)
Posts: 11406
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:18 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR) - Now for Sale

Post by cybereality »

That's awesome! Good luck.
Peterk
One Eyed Hopeful
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Re: My VR controller (SprintR) - Now for Sale

Post by Peterk »

latest video, shows walking in an FPS with SprintR . This is one of the demo projects that comes with the controller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXlkr-A81Wc
Post Reply

Return to “Physical VR Tools”