WMR vs. LeapMotion vs. SteamVR

[johannestuemler]

Hi,
I am professor at a college and want to make use of both Hololens and WMR devices (anchor sharing for mixed multi-user AR/VR experiences) for my students.

Since the Hololens 2 just got nice finger tracking it makes much sense that my VR glasses will also support finger tracking (LeapMotion).
I have used the LeapMotion for the last three years with HTC Vives and SteamVR, which worked fine.

Can I easily use the LeapMotion SDK together with WMR glasses? (device type is not yet fixed .. doesn't necessarily have to be the Samsung)
I plan to use the WMR for SteamVR (beta) bridge.

Any idea if that works easily?

[d1no]

FH Anhalt? Hi from Berlin!

Though I have all HMDs I really love the Lenovo Explorer Mixed Reality headset. Since it is inside-out tracking, it is just much more practical to move between office and lab (no base stations).

Since windows mixed reality support steam vr, you can use the headset together with leap motion. I.e.:

• https://www.hackster.io/RONDAGDAG/windows-mixed-reality-headset-webvr-and-leapmotion-b43a91
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAx0NaonmEc

So you can use i.e. unity to build a collaborative environment that connects the Lenovo / Samsung HMD with Leap Motion on a PC with ARKit / ARCore apps.

New Headsets
Anyway, mounting is fiddely and there are new headsets coming out this year that might be even nicer for your lectures:

• Completely stand alone Oculus Quest by facebook. You might not have leap motion hand tracking right away (the quest is basically an android device), but there are hints that leap motion will catch up to mobile/stand alone platforms or be available as full integration. If they don't, leap motion might be quick to be replaced by inhouse solutions from fb research since the device has cameras already (even though leap motion things for some reason, they are intellectually invincible).
• Oculus Rift S, same as the Rift but without base stations (just announced): https://www.oculus.com/blog/announcing-oculus-rift-s-our-new-pc-vr-headset-launching-spring-2019/

If you want to have an out of the box solution that proved to be working well, use an HTC Vive with a Leap Motion.

[johannestuemler]

Alright thanks, I just tried it with the ASUS WMR and noticed software-wise it's the same as with the Vive
But as you said, mounting of the LeapMotion is not as nice ..

Yep, close to Berlin!

Wbw