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PSVR2 now has ability for controller-free hand tracking

Footage from Siggraph Asia 2024 has cropped up online, which shows Sony demonstrating controller-free hand tracking on PlayStation VR2.

www.eurogamer.net

From the article:

Sony has given us our first look at controller-free hand tracking on PlayStation VR2, thanks to footage which has started making the rounds on social media.

The footage in question is of a demo at the Siggraph Asia 2024 computer graphics conference in Tokyo. This demo sees the user taking part in a cleaning mini-game. The actions on screen are achieved by using hand gestures, with no controllers required (see first embed below)


Text accompanying the PlayStation VR2 demo states this feature "tracks the position and posture" of the users' hands, and the "library is available with the latest SDK of PlayStation 5".

PlayStation VR2 hand tracking in action. #PSVR2 pic.twitter.com/THPXkuJfqg
— PlayStation VR News (@PS4VRNews) December 4, 2024

Sony's demo booth additionally lists the tracking rate at 60 fps, claiming the system "displays the hands smoothly" with "low latency". According to the text, the hand tracking tech will be able to detect 12 types of gesture.

It is worth noting that while PS VR2 hasn't had hand tracking up until this point, other VR sets such as Quest 2 and 3 have hand tracking as standard.

Eurogamer has asked Sony for further comment on the PS VR2's potential hand tracking future. We will update you when we know more.

Hand Tracking Comes To PlayStation VR 2:#PlayStationVR2 #PSVR2 pic.twitter.com/k1rMfwlFIA
— @Zuby_Tech_Pro (@Zuby_Tech) December 4, 2024

Elsewhere in VR news, we recently got a release date for Alien: Rogue Incursion. That's coming later this month. If getting yourself into a number of different disguises to pop off unsuspecting victims is more your VR bag, I am afraid you will have to wait a little bit longer for Hitman World of Assassination's PS VR2 release.

While once slated for December, this particular fellow is now set for release in March next year.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

So the Kinect. It really is the best Xbox.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

So the Kinect Eyetoy. It really is the best.

Fixed

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Fixed

Not as funny though, literally tried to kill my joy.

 

[mitch1971]

Track this Sony.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Track this Sony.

If it could see your wang it would be too close to Kinect and get sued.

 

[SweetTooth]

Cmon Sony, Stop innovating..we don't deserve this

People will b*tch about anything Sony does.

 

[Buggy Loop]

on Quest I'm always worried they track a tad too accurate and taking that data to their datacenters to improve the experience

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I'm convinced they're going to release a wireless headset next year.

 

[mckmas8808]

I'm convinced they're going to release a wireless headset next year.

Not next year but 2026 or 2027, you may be on to something.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Not next year but 2026 or 2027, you may be on to something.

I think that with Wireless connectivity + optional cable (people will use the cable but pretend they do not ) is one of the major things they need to do for PSVR3. That and the lenses could be improved.

As far as I am concerned everything else could take advantage of improved technology to reduce the cost of the headset massively.

I think these will be the three key axis of improvements. Everything else is more than good enough for a console VR headset.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

When is the wireless adapter coming out?

 

[Gamerguy84]

Yea the wire is fine for most games. A wireless version would be nice for room scale. Hopefully they keep pushing it and dont give up.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Not next year but 2026 or 2027, you may be on to something.

I think they ran aggressive sales this year to reduce inventory so that a new model could largely replace it.

I don't think they'll wait another year before putting a new model out or having no VR on the market.

The only question will be whether the wireless headset has a stand-alone play option where it can play patched PSVR2 games at lower resolution and framerate.

The future is super unclear given that I don't think Firesprite is focusing on VR and their really Sony's last VR studio. I also don't think they'll stay open very long. They should be out there working on VR modes for existing Sony games, like Until Dawn.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I think that with Wireless connectivity + optional cable (people will use the cable but pretend they do not ) is one of the major things they need to do for PSVR3. That and the lenses could be improved.

As far as I am concerned everything else could take advantage of improved technology to reduce the cost of the headset massively.

I think these will be the three key axis of improvements. Everything else is more than good enough for a console VR headset.

Yeah, I think you have a ton of feedback on PSVR2 right now that you can make a lot of adjustments with a subsequent model. I don't think they have the luxury of waiting for PSVR3 (assuming that lines up with PS6).

Even Meta released a cheaper version of the Quest 3, specifically to push the market more. I doubt Sony will be as aggressive, but I don't see any reason why Sony can't get close there. Sony got its early adopters with PSVR2 and now I feel like they'll focus on getting more casual players.

When is the wireless adapter coming out?

I don't foresee a wireless adapter...

I think the new wireless model would have Bluetooth pairing from the headset rather than have the controllers pair to the device, which will improve PC compatibility.

I would wonder if it'll be able to connect straight via USB-C without the need for virtual link adapter.

It'll be interesting to see what they do (assuming they do something).

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

I don't foresee a wireless adapter...

I think the new wireless model would have Bluetooth pairing from the headset rather than have the controllers pair to the device, which will improve PC compatibility.

I would wonder if it'll be able to connect straight via USB-C without the need for virtual link adapter.

It'll be interesting to see what they do (assuming they do something).

 

[lh032]

So the Kinect. It really is the best Xbox.

i mean...everything is xbox now.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Punk'd how?

 

[mckmas8808]

I think that with Wireless connectivity + optional cable (people will use the cable but pretend they do not ) is one of the major things they need to do for PSVR3. That and the lenses could be improved.

As far as I am concerned everything else could take advantage of improved technology to reduce the cost of the headset massively.

I think these will be the three key axis of improvements. Everything else is more than good enough for a console VR headset.

Agreed! And the price has to be $299 MAX!!!! VR just can't sell for more than that.

 

[Three]

on Quest I'm always worried they track a tad too accurate and taking that data to their datacenters to improve the experience

Your smartwatch telemetry data wondering how you're doing so many steps so fast.

 

[Bry0]

Would be cool if it worked in steam vr so I didn’t have to fumble with the controller to change settings while I play IL-2

 

[Buggy Loop]

Your smartwatch telemetry data wondering how you're doing so many steps so fast.

Wow, this guy is practicing for the Olympics!

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

Punk'd how?

You seemed to think I was being serious about them releasing a wireless adapter for the headset.

Now, I don't know if you're being serious.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

You seemed to think I was being serious about them releasing a wireless adapter for the headset.

Now, I don't know if you're being serious.

Not sure how I was supposed to know you weren't being serious.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

Not sure how I was supposed to know you weren't being serious.

Dunno, probably the GIF underneath the post?

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Agreed! And the price has to be $299 MAX!!!! VR just can't sell for more than that.

I would continue selling the PSVR2 for 350 and then the PSVR2W for 500.

I think there is evidence that VR can sell above 300. I think at 300 you need to be running a loss leader.

 

[Unknown?]

This is cool but how would that work in gameplay, without a controller? Certain gestures to move/turn?

 

[XXL]

Yes! Super fucking hyped for this.

 

[Deerock71]

 

[aclar00]

I think that with Wireless connectivity + optional cable (people will use the cable but pretend they do not ) is one of the major things they need to do for PSVR3. That and the lenses could be improved.

As far as I am concerned everything else could take advantage of improved technology to reduce the cost of the headset massively.

I think these will be the three key axis of improvements. Everything else is more than good enough for a console VR headset.

1) Wireless
2) Field of View (like 150')
3) Significantly reduce mura or whatever its called

 

[TheDreadBaron]

This is cool but how would that work in gameplay, without a controller? Certain gestures to move/turn?

Poorly. There are experiences that are made for hand tracking and they do use gestures to move but it's not great for anything that requires precision. Good for navigating menus minority report style, and also certain simpler games, but most gamey games benefit from the precision and reliablility of controller inputs.

 

[Panajev2001a]

1) Wireless
2) Field of View (like 150')
3) Significantly reduce mura or whatever its called

3. It is covered by the improved lenses but… also there is a problem with PSVR2 that is software related and Sony is already fixing with PS5 Pro now which is Async Space Warp (improving IQ significantly, see GR7’s VR mode).

2. It would be nice but I see an MSRP of $299-349 max with the controllers included. Preferably $299.

 

[mckmas8808]

3. It is covered by the improved lenses but… also there is a problem with PSVR2 that is software related and Sony is already fixing with PS5 Pro now which is Async Space Warp (improving IQ significantly, see GR7’s VR mode).

2. It would be nice but I see an MSRP of $299-349 max with the controllers included. Preferably $299.

Anything over $299 means you're losing and don't really believe in the product at this point.

 

[CitizenKratos]

I don't suspect a lot of games will take advantage of this, but nice to see Sony continuing to put R & D into VR2.

Edit: the bigger recent news is the frame gen Sony developed for GT7. That has huge potential.

 

[Unknown?]

I don't suspect a lot of games will take advantage of this, but nice to see Sony continuing to put R & D into VR2.

Edit: the bigger recent news is the frame gen Sony developed for GT7. That has huge potential.

Hmmm? Where is the info on that GT7 frame gen?

 

[CitizenKratos]

Hmmm? Where is the info on that GT7 frame gen?

Let me just say I can't confirm it really should be properly called frame gen, as Sony has been pretty silent on it. But here's the closest thing to a source I know of.

 

[Davevil]

 

[yogaflame]

Minority report type VR and hand tracking now achievable?