HTC VIVE announced on Wednesday it had upgraded its hand-tracking capabilities for its flagship mixed reality (MR) device, the VIVE XR Elite.
According to the Taoyuan City-based tech giant, its hand-tracking tools would offer “enhanced reliability across a wider range of lighting conditions.”
The company posted on social media: “Brace yourself for even better performance, especially in low light. Say goodbye to worries about reflections and tricky lighting setups.”
Two of HTC VIVE’s top-tier headsets — the VIVE XR Elite and Focus 3 — leverage hand tracking for numerous capabilities. With the feature, users can interact with content, join immersive meetings, and tap productivity tools using only their hands.
HTC VIVE has enabled hand tracking by default on the HTC VIVE XR Elite for both VR and MR spaces. Developers can also support their own apps using the VIVE Wave software developer kit (SDK).
With the new upgrade, users can pinch with their index and thumb, pinch and drag for scrolling. Users can also move sliders, open VIVE menu options, and access other features in lower light settings.
Users can currently switch between hand tracking and controllers by positioning the latter in front of the headset, unlocking their functionality. They can also disable hand tracking in the settings menu.
HTC VIVE XR Elite June Updates
The updates come nearly a month after HTC VIVE updated their XR Elite Software (FOTA 4.5) via the 1.0.999.374 release.
Rolled out on 30 June, the version aims to improve the user experience for the enterprise-level headset.
For PCVR connections, HTC VIVE included a PIN code option to pair devices without a monitor. This feature requires VIVE Streaming Hub 1.2.1 and later.
Headset users can also pair shortcuts to HTC VIVE’s PC content library. It will also indicate if the headset is charging with sufficient power before using it without the battery cradle.
Furthermore, the headset will receive Instant Mode functionality, enabling users to add notifications to recentre headsets when outside guardian spaces.
The company also updated its headsets with Features such as enhanced WiFi performance, compatibility, and USB Type-C compatibility for USB-C dongles.
Finally, the new release tackled Miracast and safety boundary bugs and included additional support for VIVE Business+.
HTC VIVE and XR Today Discuss the VIVERSE
The updates come after XR Today spoke to John Dabill, Director of Product Operations, HTC VIVE on the sidelines of The Economist’s Enterprise Metaverse Summit.
At the event, he explained how the VIVE Flow, VIVE XR Elite, and its Business Edition counterpart aimed to solve real-world enterprise challenges. Showcasing the latter at the event, XR Today got a firsthand look at the stellar MR headset, complete with full-colour passthrough, collaborative toolkits, and lightweight form factors.
HTC VIVE is also a member of global standards and collaborative organisations such as the Metaverse Standards Forum and XR Association. Their work with the group aims to boost interoperability for the XR industry.
Regarding the company’s VIVERSE platform, Dabill said at the time that HTC VIVE created an open, cross-platform ecosystem of hardware, software, and solutions.
He explained that most companies did not initially understand how to use immersive solutions and required sufficient support. HTC VIVE’s VIVERSE business platform aimed to speed up deployments of ‘customised, branded environments’ used for enterprise purposes.
“They can set this up in six to ten weeks, rather than building a bespoke design from the ground up,” he said.
Removing Barriers to Entry
He explained that the XR Elite could attract new people to XR with its sleek form factor and functional hardware. These devices enabled firms to eliminate “friction points” across the industry, Dabill added.
Continuing, he said the XR Elite leverages “flexible” functionality, allowing newcomers to trial “all-in-one device.”
HTC VIVE’s latest headset offers a rear-mounted battery pack, full-colour passthrough, detachable ‘Glasses Mode’ for PCVR tethering, high-fidelity visuals, and extensive battery life. This facilitated longer sessions in immersive spaces for new and returning users, enabling them to remain productive, communicative, and effective workers.
The news comes after the company released its Business Edition of the device in June along with its Business+ solution. For HTC VIVE, debuting the immersive solution will offer companies access to several enterprise-grade features.
This includes device management, fleet coordination, warranties, and other exclusive features. Teams can manage, upgrade, install, and secure entire fleets of devices to empower their workflows. Functionality upgrades will also include remote-controlled efficiency, user management, batch configurations, and others.
