Innovation in the extended reality landscape is happening at an unprecedented rate, thanks in part to the demand created by the pandemic. As companies continue to search for better ways to engage their audience and connect their teams, immersive interactions are exploding.
Companies like Ultraleap, one of the market leaders in Extended Reality technology, not only produce state-of-the-art headsets, but tools to enable the creation of new devices too.
For instance, the Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 is a state-of-the-art tracking product designed to integrate into extended reality hardware.
The IR 170 technology from Ultraleap helps users in VR to dive deeper into their virtual experiences, with improved “pose fidelity and robustness”, perfect for augmented, virtual and mixed reality interactions. Let’s see what this solution can do.
Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 Review: Features
The next-generation Stereo IR 170 hand tracking module follows the movement of the user’s fingers and hands to help improve interactions with digital content. Ultraleap created this technology to integrate into enterprise-grade hardware solutions, displays and headsets for AR, VR, and MR.
There are two ways to access the Stereo IR 170 technology. You can either purchase the camera module on its own or access the module as part of an “Evaluation kit” from Ultraleap, which includes a plastic housing system for placing the camera onto your headset. You also get a protective lens cap, Micro USB cable, and a range of software, tools and support.
The Evaluation kit, includes:
- Software development kit (LeapC) and official C# binding
- Unity and Unreal software plugins (The Unity plugin also comes with example scenes featuring interactive scripts and menus and optimized rigged hand models).
- Touch-free application which detects a user’s hand and converts it into a cursor
The actual Stereo IR 170 camera module features the same central software as the Leap Motion controller, which means it can track 27 distinct hand elements, including joints and bones, and track them even when they’re obscured by other parts of the hand.
This version of the technology does have some bonuses too, like a longer tracking range, lower consumption of power, and a wider field of view.
Features of the camera include:
- 850nm operating wavelength
- Stereo camera operating at 90 FPS
- 10-75cm interactive zone
- 160 x 160 minimum field of view
- Capturing for 27 distinct hand elements
Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 Review: Benefits
Ultraleap’s Stereo IR 170 offering allows hardware makers to discover what might be possible with their headsets if they leverage the latest in motion and hand-tracking technology.
You can buy the kit as an accessory for your own headset if you’re not a VR headset designer, but this product is intended less for consumers and more for the betterment of the XR marketplace.
With the Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 camera module or evaluation kit, companies can create everything from touchless public interfaces (like interactive kiosks), entertainment experiences, healthcare training tools, to industrial design applications.
The easy-to-integrate and use technology makes it perfect for companies hoping to take their innovations to the next level.
Benefits include:
- Next-gen hand tracking: The biggest benefit of the Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 camera has to be the powerful hand tracking capabilities. The solution can find a total of 27 distinct hand elements, including joints and bones. Plus, the system can still track these components when other parts of the hand might be obscuring them.
- Amazing interactive zone: The Stereo IR 170 builds on the previous functionality of the Leap Motion controller, with a wider field of view, reduced power needs and a smaller design. The solution can track hands within an interactive zone between 10 and 75 cm, with a phenomenal 170 x 170 field of view.
- Flexibility: Easy to use for business leaders and innovators in the XR landscape, the Stereo IR 170 camera module and evaluation kit from Ultraleap comes with everything you need to start building enterprise-grade solutions for any industry. Plugins are already included for Unity and Unreal, so you can continue working with some of the top 3D development platforms on the market.
- Touch free functionality: Crucial for a future where touch-less devices are becoming more common, the “Touch Free” application included with the Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 is fantastic for producing a host of different XR experiences. You can create everything from healthcare applications to remote collaboration tools wherein your technology can track a user’s hand in mid-air and instantly convert it into a cursor.
- Bonus Unity features: The plugin for Unity included with your evaluation kit comes with access to its own interaction engine for natural interactions between objects and hands, as well as example scenes with interactive menus and screens. There’s also a selection of optimised rigged hand models and an auto-rigging pipeline for custom designs.
Who Needs the Ultraleap Stereo IR 170?
The state-of-the-art Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 system, either accessed as part of the comprehensive evaluation kit, or as a standalone camera, has a lot of value to offer.
Ultraleap built this innovative technology to help companies explore their options when it comes to hand tracking in XR experiences. Once you’ve evaluated the functionality of your headset or product with the Stereo IR 170 system, you can get back in touch with Ultraleap to start building new innovations into your headset.
Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 Review: Verdict
If you’re looking for an opportunity to discover the potential of hand tracking functionality in your VR or AR headset creations, the Ultraleap Stereo IR 170 is the perfect tool.
An insight into the cutting edge abilities of hand and finger tracking, the evaluation kit will give you everything you need to start building next-generation functionality into your products.
