HTC Releases VIVE Ultimate Tracker To Improve Tracking on The All-in-One XR Headsets
HTC VIVE is one of the big names in VR though I don’t hear much about them compared to Oculus/Meta headsets. They have announced their new VIVE Ultimate Tracker which enhances standalone headsets with self-tracking technology.
HTC VIVE Ultimate Tracker
The VIVE Ultimate Tracker is a compact and versatile tracker which offers self-tracking technology making it an ideal addition to the standalone VIVE XR Elite and VIVE Focus 3 headsets as well as future support for OpenXR and SteamVR based PC VR setups. It follows from the VIVE Tracker 3.0 and uses two wide-FOV cameras to track its own location with precise accuracy. Using up to five of these trackers can enable full body tracking with an easy setup featuring no annoying cables or base stations.
The trackers are highly flexible and use a standard 1/4″-20 UNC mount and pogo pin interface allowing it to be attached to a wide variety of objects. It allows for usecases beyond just gaming including VR Training, Mocap and more. HTC has future plans for the trackers to work independently with SteamVR without any headset present making them a good tool even beyond VR.
What HTC Had To Say
“VIVE Ultimate Tracker is about to make your XR sessions a lot more realistic and immersive, with super accurate full-body tracking – now for the first time on all-in-one devices,” said Shen Ye, Global Head of Product at HTC VIVE. “People have been asking for more robust and flexible tracking options, and we’re very excited to get these to our users and see them get creative and have fun!”
Tech Specs
- Weight: 94 g
- Battery life: Up to 7 hours
- Connectivity: Proprietary low-latency 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and up to 10 meters operating distance
- Tracking: 6DoF inside-out tracking
Price and Availability
VIVE Ultimate Tracker is now available from vive.com, with special launch offers in North America and Europe.
In North America, VIVE Ultimate Tracker is available for USD $199 per unit, with the following limited-time bundle deals valid through 31 December 2023:
- VIVE XR Elite Owner Discount: Existing XR Elite owners who purchase the $599 Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit + TrackStraps Special will receive a $100 discount by entering their valid VIVE XR Elite serial number, bringing the price to USD $499.
- VIVE Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit Special (USD $599): Includes 3 VIVE Ultimate Trackers, 1 Wireless Dongle, 1 Dance Dash download key, and TrackStraps set for VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
- VIVE XR Elite and VIVE Ultimate Tracker Bundle (USD $1499): Includes VIVE XR Elite headset, 3 VIVE Ultimate Trackers, 1 Wireless Dongle, 1 Dance Dash download key, and TrackStraps set for VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
In the UK, VIVE Ultimate Tracker is available for £209 per unit, with the following limited-time bundle deals valid until 31 December 2023:
- VIVE XR Elite Owner Discount: Existing XR Elite owners who purchase the £599 Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit + TrackStraps Special will receive a £100 discount by entering their valid VIVE XR Elite serial number, bringing the price to GBP £499.
- VIVE Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit Special (GBP £599): Includes 3 VIVE Ultimate Trackers, 1 Wireless Dongle, 1 Dance Dash download key, and TrackStraps set for VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
- VIVE XR Elite and VIVE Ultimate Tracker Bundle (GBP £1499): Includes VIVE XR Elite headset, 3 VIVE Ultimate Trackers, 1 Wireless Dongle, 1 Dance Dash download key, and TrackStraps set for VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
In Europe, VIVE Ultimate Tracker is available for €229 per unit, with the following limited-time bundle deals valid until 31 December 2023:
- VIVE XR Elite Owner Discount: Existing XR Elite owners who purchase the €669 Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit + TrackStraps Special will receive a €100 discount by entering their valid VIVE XR Elite serial number, bringing the price to EUR €569.
- VIVE Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit Special (EUR €669): Includes 3 VIVE Ultimate Trackers, 1 Wireless Dongle, 1 Dance Dash download key, and TrackStraps set for VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
- VIVE XR Elite and VIVE Ultimate Tracker Bundle (EUR €1699): Includes VIVE XR Elite headset, 3 VIVE Ultimate Trackers, 1 Wireless Dongle, 1 Dance Dash download key, and TrackStraps set for VIVE Ultimate Tracker.
