Sony Inc., has announced the release of a wearable motion-tracking device, called “Mocopi” that can record the wearer’s motions and then apply those movements to a virtual avatar.
It consists of six disk-shaped gadgets that can be worn around the user’s wrists, ankles, head and hips, used to animate avatars inside various metaverse apps on Android or iOS devices.
Looking at the above picture, each of the six discs is around the size of a standard watch face. The sensors themselves measure 32mm (a little over an inch) in diameter and weigh 8 grams (0.28 ounces). They’re battery-powered and come with a charging case, so users don’t have to worry about getting tangled in cords.
According to the Mocopi product page, each sensor has a battery life of up to 10 hours depending on how often you would use them. They even have a protection rating of IP65 meaning they’re completely protected against dust and can survive splashes of water.
The company’s promotional video explains how Mocopi works while the sensor connects with a user’s smartphone.
It featured a young guy with the wearable device on and dancing in the living room. He is then transformed into a classic anime-style virtual avatar as seen in the metaverse. The same thing happened with a lady who also had the metaverse product on, as her virtual world was seen to blend with the real world.
The avatar closely follows a person’s motions from running, dancing, and even lip syncing. Once done, users can view the video of the avatar in motion on the mobile app.
The small and lightweight sensor uses a proprietary technology which connects to dedicated application on a user’s smartphone. “By utilizing our proprietary algorithm, “mocopi” realizes highly accurate motion measurement with a small number of sensors, freeing VTubers and creators involved in movie and animation production from time and place constraints,” the Japanese company noted in the announcement.
With this tech, users can control an anime style avatar in real time to either create videos or hang out with people in compatible metaverse services like VRChat. It’s similar to a big Hollywood-style motion capture system but without the dedicated equipment or operators.
Sony hopes Mocopi will help content creators “involved in movie and animation production” and facilitate development in key areas like fitness platforms.” Therefore, the ambitious product does not only appeal to those interested in the metaverse, but also animation professionals and filmmakers.
Sony notes that you can use existing VRM avatars and export recorded videos in the MP4 format, provided you have a device with iOS 15.7.1 or Android 11.
If you’re curious and would like to know more, please visit the URL: https://www.sony.jp/mocopi/. Pre-order sales are set to commence later this December but the official is for January 2023.
