- Kyle Chua
Sony's Mocopi Bands Animates Your Body Movements Onto A Metaverse Avatar
Sony's latest innovation takes advantage of motion capture (mocap) technology to animate your movements onto a metaverse avatar.
Dubbed Mocapi – a play on the word mocap – the newly launched product consists of motion tracking bands that you wear on your hands, feet, back and head. Each sensor tracks movement to operate your avatar in real-time for apps like VRChat.
The motion sensors are colour-coded, so that you don't get confused figuring out which goes where. You'll have to pair them with a smartphone app the first time you use them by pressing the button at the centre of the sensor. Then, you can mount them on the included straps and clip them to the corresponding parts of your body. From there, you'll just have to calibrate the sensors by copying certain positions. After which, you can finally start doing movements and see your in-app avatar copy them.
The product also uses a proprietary algorithm and a smartphone app to generate motion capture data, saving creators from needing dedicated equipment. It also comes with a dustproof and waterproof case that stores and charges the sensors, which can last up to 10 hours on a full charge.
Sony plans to release a software development kit (SDK) that links your captured motion capture data with metaverse services and development platforms like Unity and MotionBuilder. Once it's released, you can import your motion data into these apps. The Japanese tech giant adds that you can use existing VRM avatars – 3D characters created in the modern virtual reality landscape – and export recorded videos in the MP4 format, granted your device is running iOS 15.7.1 or Android 11.
"This SDK expands the use of motion data for activities such as full-body tracking, thereby facilitating the development of new services in areas such as the metaverse and fitness," touts Sony.
More than that though, this could mean even more immersive experiences when it comes to gaming, with this type of technology possibly being able to be integrated into games to facilitate motions for jumping, crouching and more.
Pre-orders are expected to open sometime in mid-December, with a launch slated for January of next year. The product has a retail price of 49,500 yen, which equates to about $358, and will be available on Sony's online store. Local availability has yet to be announced.
Sony's Mocopi takes advantage of motion capture technology to animate your movements onto a metaverse avatar.
The newly launched product consists of motion tracking bands that you wear on your hands, feet, back and head.
The product uses a proprietary algorithm and a smartphone app to generate motion capture data, saving creators from needing dedicated equipment.
Mocopi is slated to release in January of next year for a retail price of 49,500 yen.