HTC Now Seems To Be Teasing Vive Lip-Tracking

HTC's latest tease on its Twitter account looks related to the lip-tracking module for its Vive headsets. UploadVR reports: Paired with last week's tease that included the message "It's your move," plus numerous replies that use the word 'tracking' and even a more recent reference to Avatar, it certainly seems like HTC is teasing new add-ons for its existing Vive headsets, rather than an all-new device.

HTC revealed the lip-tracking module for Vive all the way back at GDC 2019. At the time the company said it had no plans for a full release of the device. The kit hangs below the headset and reads movement in your mouth, which a given experience could then use to replicate on a virtual avatar of yourself. Paired with the eye-tracking in the HTC Vive Pro Eye, it's feasible that HTC could soon be bringing very expressive virtual avatars to VR. Go a step further and implement the Vive Trackers for full-body tracking, and there's a lot of potential here.

I was an early VR adopter

[JMZero]

..and I've got a lot of use out of my Vive (and an Oculus DK2 before that). I think a lot of VR detractors are missing out; there's a lot of fun games and cool experiences to be had with a good VR setup.

But I have zero interest in lip tracking, and even if I did want that, having another huge clip on thing would be physically problematic. I've already got a wireless adapter, a cable running to a battery, a fairly weighty display, and a strap with headphones.

We're getting into head piano territory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUzjyzA_H_o)

Re:I was an early VR adopter

[bug_hunter]

Two big uses cases come to mind (and these indeed aren't for everyone):
Quadraplegics who can't do too much in the typically physical tactile VR world.
VR Chat, to show expression or just to mute your background noise if your lips aren't moving.

Also could it possible do much better voice recognition if it can read your lips along with the sound you make? This all sounds like fun frontier stuff which I'm all for. Bring on some big swings and misses to get that occasional home run.

Re:

[Too Late for Cool ID]

Motion capture would be another use. Actors performing mocap could see their environment, instead of just a big empty studio and at least part of their expressions could be captured, saving animation time.

Labia tracking?

[Anonymouse Cowtard]

I know I should RTFA but where do I apply?

Re:

[Type44Q]

I know I should RTFA but where do I apply?

"You're already being tracked, Cunt."

Re:

[CHduckie]

While not officially announced yet, there are numerous leaks that would suggest Apple has been working on a VR/AR headset that does just that. [theverge.com]

Doubt it's going to take until at least 2032 though.

Great but...

[DrXym]

... the amount of configuration required for a Vive is ludicrous. And the cost is prohibitive, putting it WELL outside of the reach of casual players. If HTC want to sell more headsets they should be thinking about reducing cost and complexity of their system.

"I'm not a cat"

[nospam007]

Will be more realistic.