Epson Moverio BT-300 Augmented Reality Smart Glasses Support uSens Advanced Hand Tracking
Developers can now create even more interactive AR apps for leading Epson platform by using cutting-edge uSens hand-tracking solutions

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- uSens, Inc., a pioneer in hand-and-head tracking technologies for Augmented and Virtual Reality, today announced that its 26DoF hand-tracking Fingo technology is compatible with the Epson® Moverio™ BT-300 Developer Edition augmented reality (AR) smart glasses from global technology leader Epson. uSens is highlighting this revolutionary capability at the CES® 2017 trade show running January 5-8 in Las Vegas, in the uSens booth #50001 in the Eureka Park marketplace of the Sands Expo, Level 1, Hall G.

The Epson Moverio BT-300 Developer Edition are the lightest Si-OLED (organic light emitting diode) driven binocular, see-though augmented reality smart glasses available today, more than 70 percent lighter than Epson's first-generation glasses. Powered by the Android 5.1 OS and running on a quad core Intel® Atom™ X5 processor, this Moverio platform enables developers to seamlessly render life-like 3D AR experiences, with no display background or edges in the field of view. A 5 mega pixel front-facing camera and on-board sensors enable the Moverio BT-300 to recognize objects in the real world. The Moverio BT-300 Developer Edition is available at a suggested retail price of $779.

uSens hand-tracking capability can be added to Moverio BT-300 glasses through a uSens Fingo module connected via a USB cable. Fingo can be positioned anywhere on the forehead, either atop the glasses or strapped into a separate head-mounted display (HMD) device holder, enabling developers and consumers to add controller-free hand tracking while minimizing consumption of device battery and processing.

"We're very pleased that uSens has confirmed the compatibility of its mobile hand tracking technology with our new Moverio BT-300," said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, New Ventures for Epson America. "We encourage our developer ecosystem to consider uSens' innovative solution to create highly interactive, 3D applications that are free of external controllers."

Available through uSens' SDK and Fingo developer kits, uSens algorithms track 22 joint movements of each hand, in 26DoF or Degrees of Freedom. Since uSens' algorithms are mobile-optimized, developers can easily add full hand interaction without worrying about major tradeoffs to battery life and performance. Developers can create AR applications featuring customized gesture control and virtual objects that users can grab, poke, and throw — all without controllers. Fingo also enables position tracking through easy-to-set-up external markers.

"3D hand tracking puts users more in control of their experiences in AR and VR, and thus the experience becomes more immersive, realistic, and enjoyable," said Dr. Yue Fei, CTO and co-founder of uSens. "We're very excited to work with Epson, a leader in AR since it launched its first-generation smart glasses in 2011. Extensive testing has confirmed that our 3D hand tracking technology can integrate with the Moverio BT-300, which sets a new standard in AR eyewear for seamlessly blending digital content with the real world."

In addition to its integration with Moverio BT-300 glasses for AR, visitors to the uSens booth at CES can experience the uSens Fingo series of modules that enable advanced 3D human-computer interaction capability on PC-based VR systems such as Oculus Rift™ and HTC Vive™, as well as mobile platforms like Samsung Gear VR™ and Google Daydream™.

Specifications for Entry-Level Fingo

  • Tracking: 26DOF Skeletal Hand Tracking (2 hands, 22 joints/hand) Marker-Based Position Tracking
  • System Requirements: Android 4.4+, 64bit Windows 8+
  • SDK Support: Unity3D, Java, C++, C#
  • Dimensions: 12.9mm X 37.5mm X 102.4mm
  • Camera: Dual IR 640 X 480
  • Range: 5cm – 70cm
  • Field of View: 140° Horizontal, 122° Vertical
  • Frame Rate: 60fps
  • Latency: 20ms

Visit the uSens uDev network portal to request a developer kit or to pre-order a Fingo. Watch uSens technology in action: https://youtu.be/zMroCZ9uoOw.

About uSens, Inc.

Founded in 2013, San Jose-based uSens, Inc. closes the gap between Virtual Reality and the real world. The pioneering ARVR company provides inside-out, 26DOF hand and 6DOF head position tracking technologies for Augmented and Virtual Reality experiences. With domain expertise in 3D HCI technology, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, uSens is leading the industry to achieve Super Reality, a truly immersive and natural ARVR experience. For more information, visit www.usens.com and follow @usensinc.

©2017 uSens, Inc. uSens and Fingo are trademarks and/or registered trademark of uSens, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. EPSON and Moverio are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Other brand and product names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder(s).

SOURCE uSens, Inc.

For further information: uSens PR, Sarah Koniniec, Sterling Communications, (408) 884-5166, uSens@sterlingpr.com; or Epson PR, Mike Kilroy or Valerie Christopherson, Global Results Communications (GRC), (949) 689-9550, epson@globalresultspr.com