The original Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets are without a doubt the best virtual reality headsets that you can get. However, it is quite disappointing that the headsets are not equipped for default full-body tracking.
Nevertheless, you can still enjoy full-body tracking with the Quest headsets. Yes, it is very possible and we will be showing you how in three unique ways which include:
- Kinect
- The Use of Vive Trackers
- Antilatency
Full Body Tracking with Kinect
We will be starting with Kinect, the comfiest and most affordable method for full-body tracking. It is a straightforward method that is compatible with the Kinect 1 and Xbox Kinect 360.
For full-body tracking with Kinect, you would need to buy Driver4VR software, Kinect and you would also need a PC. Let’s look at how this works in detail.
Purchase a Driver4VR
The free version of Driver4VR software uses Kinect-based tracking for full-body tracking. You can play for only 10 minutes at a time with this version.
Driver4VR has a retail price of 28 dollars, but it can be purchased for a cheaper price during sales.
Driver4VR can only be used for SteamVR games, not the default Oculus games.
Get a Kinect Motion Tracker
Next, you would need to purchase a Kinect motion tracker from Amazon.
Get a compatible PC
Finally, you would also need a PC, preferably one that meets the system requirements for SteamVR and is recommended for playing VR games.
Streaming content from the PC to the Quest headset requires either setting up a wireless connection through Virtual Desktop or using the Oculus Link.
In general, this method is quite straightforward and seamless. However, there may be some glitches in tracking and the experience may vary depending on your device.
Full Body Tracking with Vive Trackers
Our next full-body tracking method is the use of Vive trackers which is a step ahead of Kinect in terms of cost. Full-body tracking with Vive trackers involves the use of HTC Vive trackers and base stations.
HTC Vive Trackers
There would be at least three HTC Vive trackers needed for your entire body, one for your waist and two for your kegs.
In conjunction with HTC Vive base stations, HTC Vive trackers can be purchased from Amazon.
The trackers are also being sold by Tundra for 95 dollars, and based on all indications, the trackers appear to perform somewhat better. Tundra’s tracker can be used with your old Vive trackers when it launches in the fall, so you can save money and gain additional benefits. For example, the trackers are connected by a single USB port.
Headset HTC Vive
HTC Vive Base Station lets you experience room-scale VR on a portable device.
Using one base station only gives you the ability to track from one angle, and turning it around will break the line. Two base stations are recommended.
You can place two base stations on a high shelf or stand stool to cover your entire area.
On Amazon, a base station costs around 150 dollars, which is prohibitively expensive for most people.
A Vive tracker is one of the best full-body trackers available if you have a few dollars to spare.
Tracking strap
If you are short on cash, you can track your body movement using the DIY method.
Amazon also sells Rebuff Reality TrackStrap Plus and Rebuff Reality Trackbelt.
Virtual Desktop or Oculus Link Cable
For full-body tracking, you can use Virtual Desktop or Oculus Link if you have a wireless connection.
If you would love a wired experience, you can either choose to get the official Oculus Link Cable or any other fast-speed USB cable.
It’s possible that you won’t need an extended USB hub if you are not using all the ports provided. However, there may be a little issue with the calibration of the trackers between Oculus VR and Steam VR.
Full Body Tracking with Antilatency
The third and final method for full-body tracking is the Antilatency method. Antilatency is a unique brand that has carved out a niche for itself in motion capture and Virtual reality. They do not sell to direct users, they sell to other businesses instead. Hence, they operate in the B2B space.
Recently, they have expanded their reach to make their products more readily available to retailers.
It is a unique technology that uses tags and ceiling or floor tracking areas, which is essentially the combination of all the above-mentioned methods.
Unlike Oculus, Antilatency tracks your head and legs with your controllers.
Let’s take a closer look.
Tags
Separate tags attached to each leg serve as trackers for the camera.
The Antilatency’s arm bracers can also be used instead of controllers for a hands-free experience.
Floor or Ceiling Tracking Areas
With Antilatency, you can set up a floor or ceiling with special panels that emit infrared rays for tracking. This way, you can separate your virtual reality gaming area from the rest of your home.
The only con of this method is the cost. Using Antilatency for full-body tracking is simple, but super expensive. It is our most expensive method.
To give you an idea of what we are talking about, let’s break it down:
It would cost around 650 dollars for the main camera, about 70 dollars for 2 tags, about 50 dollars for a USB socket, and about 250 dollars for a 10-meter squared tracking area. With all of these factors taken into account, you would need more than 1000 dollars in total.
In case this sounds appealing to you and you can afford it, you can check the Antilatency official website for more information.
A downside of the floor track is that it might get broken if the user looks up too far. However, Antilatency has assured that the camera has a 240-degree field of view which makes this issue less prevalent.
Final Words
Even though Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 are not equipped for full-body tracking, any of these methods can help you achieve the full-body tracking that you desire.
With this information in hand, you can now decide which method to use.
