We use an infrared stereo camera in the Massless tracker to optically track the position and orientation of multiple active marker points on the Pen. We fuse the optical data with the orientation data from the onboard IMU that is transmitted wirelessly to the host computer.

Any “VR Ready” PC will be compatible. Most VR headset companies provide a “Specification test” on their websites. While this does vary depending on the system used, Massless minimum requirements will easily be met by all of them.

Alongside meeting Massless’ minimum requirements, you will need a spare USB3.0 port (type A) after you have plugged in all the required devices for the headset you are using.

These are the specs that Massless recommends to run the Pen. You can, of course, have better performing hardware than what is listed here.

The Massless Pen can be used inside and outside of VR. A user can alternate between inside and outside of VR and use the same recommended system requirements that the Pen requires within VR, but for users never intending to use the Massless Pen inside VR, any PC compatible with your 2D or 3D application will be suitable. However, regardless of whether are working “inside” or “outside of VR, you will still need a spare USB3.0 port (type A).

We currently support the HTC Vive, Vive Pro, Vive Pro Eye (and any compatible) and the Oculus Rift CV1. Our API and plugins are being developed to allow for compatibility with future VR systems and software.

We are also ensuring that our physical connectors use industry-standard dimensions where possible, to allow for maximum compatibility with existing/future VR systems.

Very accurate! One reason we created the Massless Pen the way we did was for precision design, drafting and drawing. It is very complicated to accurately track a beautiful, slender object like the Massless Pen in 3D space, but it delivers an incredible and intuitive experience for the user. The Pen is extremely accurate in the X and Y directions relative to the Massless tracker. Since we are using a stereo camera setup, the error in the Z direction increases with the square of the Z distance from the Massless Tracker. That means that the further the Pen is from the tracker, the less precise it becomes. Under 300mm from the tracker, the accuracy is sub 1mm. Over 1 meter, the accuracy is between 2 and 3mm.

The tracking volume and accuracy can be increased by adding a second Massless tracker.

Not necessarily. There are a number of events that are generated by the Pen that can be used as inputs to a software application. These include a capacitive touch sensing pad on the Pen that can be used for button and scroll input, the IMU can be used for twist and flick input and the optical tracking can be used to change the function of the Pen. Depending on the UI of the software that you are using, this may alone be enough. However, certain extended functionality may require the use of an off-hand controller. Massless Studio uses menus on the off-hand controller that are accessed by pressing the virtual buttons using the Pen.

The F.O.V. of the tracker is 90deg. wide and 69deg. high. The further away from the tracker that the Pen is, the larger the tracking volume becomes, but the tracking accuracy will eventually go down. After about 1 meter/yard away from the tracker, the tracking volume is quite big and the accuracy is still very high.

No. The Massless Pen can also function as a 3D mouse input device that works on the physical desktop or in space in front of the monitor. Included in the software suite is Massless Mouse, which allows the Pen to control the on-screen cursor. The capacitive touch sensor is used for the mouse clicks and scrolls. The rear half of the touch pad is a left-click, the front half (near the tip) is a right-click.

No, not on the same tracker. However, multiple Pens can be used independently in the same room. Each Pen is explicitly paired to one or more trackers.

With our current implementation, no, but this is very possible. If you’re interested in tracking the Pen with your tracker technology, then it is most likely very possible to do this. The Massless Pen is designed for highly intuitive and precise desk-based design and the Massless tracker is currently best at delivering that performance, but we’d love to hear your ideas!

Not really, our high precision tracking system is intended for desk-based use. With that said – you can be standing and you can be up to 1 meter/ 3 feet away from the tracker. This will give you a big enough tracking volume that you can reach as far as you can in any direction (without moving your feet).