Sony’s latest innovation could be a boon for metaverse pundits and VTubers (virtual YouTubers). Whether that’s a good thing for the rest of us remains to be seen.
The company’s new Mocopi system features six lightweight motion-tracking pucks worn around a user’s head, arms, waist, and ankles. They’ll presumably act like those little white spheres you might’ve seen on a traditional motion capture suit. Mocopi translates a user’s motion in the real world to virtual movement inside Sony’s companion app.
The recorded motion can then be used to animate virtual 3D avatars for VTubers or those wanting to explore virtual worlds – if those people can afford it.
Mocopi for the masses
With traditional professional mocap systems ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, the Mocopi system and its R6,100 (49,500 Japanese yen or $360) price tag will lower the barrier of entry for aspiring motion capture artists, performers, and VTubers. At least, that’s what we gathered from Sony’s marketing for the product.
The fact that they don’t require a base station also provides streamers and content creators with the opportunity to take them outside of a home or studio environment.
We don’t see this starting a virtual mocap revolution overnight – especially in South Africa. But we’re sure there’s at least one local person who will be delighted to know they can actually become the waifu from their dreams. This one is for them.