This new crowdfunded HMD (Head Mounted Display) and wearable motion controllers make for an elegant and affordable Virtual Reality solution
Crowdfunding your product is fast becoming the norm in cutting edge sectors such as VR, robotics and health tech. In fact, Tech Trends reviewed crowdfunded products in all three of those sectors just this month. Right now I am looking at a funky new wearable motion capture device from DigiBit that gives you responsive in-game control for both VR and non-VR environments and works on iOS and Android (Marshmallow and above) devices.
Control your in-game movements and actions with smart sensors that attach to the hands or feet for a gaming experience like never before!
These elegant little wearables are the creation of DigiBit Founder, Colt Correa and his family. This is one of those great stories of an engineer who, when disappointed by commercial products, knew he could do better, and with the help of a Kickstarter campaign plans to deliver an affordable product even the big games and console manufacturers would be proud of. DigiBit is an open platform and includes an open source Air Hockey game, a free Unity3D plugin and an open Bluetooth API.
DigiBit is an open platform that includes a free Unity3D plugin and open Bluetooth API Click To Tweet
The patent pending wearable motion and communication technology captures your body movement for responsive in-game control in VR and non-VR environments.
What’s unique about it?
- WEARABLE: Pocket sized system that is a great accessory to your existing smart devices like iPhones, Android phones and tablets
- HANDS and FEET: Only portable game system that enables games to use both feet and both hands as input. Existing systems require the player to hold the motion sensor, but with DigiBit the motion sensor holds on to you so you can use your arms and legs in a natural way while playing
- ACTIVE and SOCIAL: Focus on physically active and face-to-face social game play.
- FREE GAMES: Games from DigiBit are free and can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple Stores
- CHILD SECURITY: Free parent app enables you to track how far away your child is. Alarm sounds on your phone if the child wanders away too far. Built in compass shows you the direction of the child. Great security feature for such things as days out at theme parks.
- BATTERY LIFE: Over 16 hours on a single charge
- LOW COST: Cost of the entire DigiBit system with the games is less than that of 2 games with most other systems
- DEVELOPER FRIENDLY: Open Source, Open Interfaces and a Unity3D API lets mobile game developers add body motion to existing or new games
With a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and more than 22 years of experience working in software and hardware development for the automotive industry, and with 5 U.S. patents to his name, Colt knows what he is doing. After an initial manufacturing run of 50 units this campaign will raise money to enhance the games they have as well as develop new ones, plus create an open API so programmers around the world can develop their own games for the DigiBit ecosystem.
DigiBit focuses on physically active and face-to-face social game play Click To Tweet Kickstarter backers will benefit from such perks as free games and power-ups, FOREVER Click To TweetEarly Kickstarter backers will get some great perks including free downloads of all DigiBit games now and in the future, ad-free games and free in-app purchases and power ups, all in perpetuity!
Our backers will decide what games comes next. With every system, you get a vote on what is going to be our next game. Have a new game idea? Let’s us know!
The DigiBits are well designed, small, light and in trendy white. They come with sturdy straps for attaching them to your wrists or feet and the headset is a revelation for those out there who are sick of removing their phone’s case to be able to fit it into different VR goggles.
A simple elastic and velcro strap secures your phone to the headset Click To TweetA simple elastic and velcro strap secures your phone to the headset offering a truly one size fits all wearable, it is also very comfortable and adjustable for those who wear glasses.
Get active with the ability to turn static mobile games into full-body experiences! DigiBits can be worn anywhere and played anywhere, unlike traditional consoles.
To test it out I charged up the DigiBits, strapped them to my wrists and launched FunnyWings, a flying game where you chase after an evil witch, collect stars and dodge deadly red balloons. The game asks permission to turn on your Bluetooth and effortlessly pairs with the DigiBits. You are instructed to tap your chest with your right hand which tells the game which side is your right and off you go.
The gameplay of my demo was fun and intuitive. I found myself laughing Click To TweetThere is a little demo on how to move and fly then you clap your hands to start the game. Gameplay is really good and the movements to control your flight are very instinctive. I found myself laughing, flailing around and definitely burning more calories than playing on my PS4. Interestingly I experienced no loss of balance or nausea during game play, so maybe moving my body and head as I played countered the unpleasant feelings I have often experienced in VR when sitting down.
I experienced no nausea or dizziness while playing the game Click To Tweet
DigiBit is the only portable game system that enables games to use both feet and both hands as input. Existing systems require the player to hold the motion sensor, with DigiBit the motion sensor holds on to you so you can use your arms and legs in a natural way while playing.
For the second test game I moved the straps to my feet and loaded up Dash, an endless runner based in a high school corridor. Jumping is the name of the game here. Jump side to side to weave around obstacles and jump straight up to get over objects or up onto tables. Dodge the occasional pesky banana skin by raising your right or left leg to hop past it and always stay ahead of the big bully! This was great fun and I was quickly out of breath. It was much more physically taxing than FunnyWings and I can see it being a big hit with the kids.
I definitely burned more calories than when playing on the PS4 Click To Tweet
I really enjoyed the Digibit system and was so much more involved in the games’ action than when using VR more passively. The product is well made, easy to use and looks as good as anything made by the big games companies, so I think it is a winner. Colt and his family hope to raise $2,500 to make the Digibit system better and more affordable, and to make more games like these for it, so if you are interested in getting your hands on a Digibit and helping them out take a look at the Kickstarter page here.
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