Meta's CTO explains why motion trackers aren't in the cards for Quest, despite competitor innovations.
Meta's CTO explains why motion trackers aren't in the cards for Quest, despite competitor innovations.
Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, has emphasised the company's mission to expand the virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality universe. With a goal to scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions, and eventually a billion users, Meta is focusing on driving mass adoption through strategic enhancements in core technologies and user experiences.
Rather than diversifying into niche accessories like motion trackers, Meta is prioritising the development of more accessible and engaging VR and mixed reality experiences. This commitment involves significant improvements across hardware, software, and the overall ecosystem to cater to both new users and experienced enthusiasts. The Meta Quest 3, along with upcoming models like the Quest 3S, represents Meta's dedication to advancing VR technology. By enhancing these headsets, Meta aims to create richer virtual worlds and deliver immersive experiences that appeal to a broad audience.
ByteDance's Pico Motion Trackers represent a notable advancement in the VR space, offering enhanced functionality for Pico's VR headsets. Priced at £80/€90 for a pair and included with preorders, these trackers introduce leg tracking capabilities, adding a new dimension to immersive experiences. Weighing just 27 grams, the trackers are designed for comfort and portability, boasting an impressive 25 hours of active battery life.
Supported by popular VR applications like VRChat, the Pico Motion Trackers are also expected to extend compatibility to upcoming games such as Blade & Sorcery: Nomad and Drunkn Bar Fight. Their versatility as general object trackers further positions them as valuable tools for businesses and location-based entertainment venues, offering new possibilities for interactive and engaging experiences.
In comparison, Meta's VR headsets, including the Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest, Quest 3S, and Quest Pro, focus on delivering high-quality immersive experiences with advanced hardware and software. These headsets are designed to push the boundaries of virtual reality, integrating features that enhance user interaction and overall engagement within virtual worlds.
Despite the promising capabilities of motion trackers, Andrew Bosworth remains cautious about their necessity for the majority of VR users. While he acknowledges that high-precision tracking of extremities can be advantageous in specific scenarios, such as for dance enthusiasts in VRChat who want to showcase their moves, he believes these use cases are relatively niche.
Bosworth's perspective is that the broader VR user base might not experience the same level of benefit from motion trackers. As a result, he considers them a less compelling addition to the Meta Quest ecosystem. Instead, Meta continues to focus on enhancing core aspects of their VR headsets, like the Meta Quest 3 and Quest Pro, to provide an immersive experience through improvements in resolution, controllers, and overall VR performance. This strategic focus aims to address the needs of a wide range of users and maximise the impact of the VR experience.
One of Meta's core principles in hardware development is consumer convenience. Andrew Bosworth highlights that increasing the number of devices to charge and attach to one's body could undermine the seamless and user-friendly experience Meta strives to provide. The company's focus is on minimising complexity and maximising ease of use to better serve its expanding user base.
Meta is cautious about introducing additional accessories that could complicate the user experience without offering substantial benefits. Instead, the company prioritises refining its core products, such as the Meta Quest 3 and Quest Pro headsets, as well as their controllers, to ensure a streamlined and intuitive interaction within virtual reality. This approach is intended to enhance the overall user experience and maintain the accessibility and enjoyment of VR for a broad audience.
While Meta currently has no plans to develop motion trackers for the Quest series, Andrew Bosworth remains open to the possibility if the market conditions shift. He acknowledges that if Pico Motion Trackers become a massive success and generate significant demand for such accessories, Meta may reconsider its position on integrating motion trackers into its ecosystem.
For the time being, Meta is concentrating on its primary mission of expanding the VR and mixed reality landscape. This includes ongoing improvements to its headsets, such as the Meta Quest 3 and Quest Pro, focusing on enhancing resolution, integrating advanced tech, and optimising camera systems to deliver superior user experiences.
Yes, Meta is reportedly planning to release the Meta Quest 4 in 2026, as noted in a report from The Information. This upcoming headset is anticipated to continue Meta's focus on enhancing the virtual reality experience, building on the features of previous models like the Meta Quest 3.
The Meta Quest 4 is expected to integrate advanced technology and improvements in areas such as resolution and user interaction. It may also offer enhanced connectivity features through Quest Link and updates to its operating system to further streamline and enhance the VR experience.