slaptrack

The Ultimate shape shifting MR Controller

As Mixed Reality (MR) reshapes how we engage with the virtual and physical worlds, input devices must keep pace, adapting to a wide range of contexts and interaction styles. Enter Slaptrack, an innovative MR controller designed to transition seamlessly between modes and form factors. Inspired by the simplicity and versatility of a slap bracelet, Slaptrack transforms into the interaction tool you need—whether it’s a precision pointer, a wearable gesture sensor, or an enhancer for uninstrumented props.

Why a Transformative Controller?

MR demands versatility. Tasks in these immersive environments vary wildly—one moment you need precise pointing, the next, robust gesture recognition, and sometimes a tool to augment physical objects. Traditional controllers struggle to accommodate this diversity, often forcing compromises in usability or form.

Slaptrack breaks these boundaries by offering a shape-shifting controller that adapts to your interaction needs in real time. Its form factor transitions from straight to curved, unlocking unique functionalities in each configuration.

How Slaptrack Works: Transformative Interaction

Straight Form: Pointer and Remote Mode

  • In its extended form, Slaptrack becomes a remote-like device for precise pointing and control, perfect for selecting objects, navigating menus, or interacting with distant elements in MR environments.
  • Integrated sensors ensure high precision, making it ideal for tasks requiring exact input.

Curved Form: Wearable Gesture Sensing

  • Slaptrack’s slap-bracelet design allows it to wrap around the wrist, enabling gesture sensing and hand tracking. Using a combination of laser speckle sensing and ultrasound, it captures fine-grained hand movements, allowing for intuitive interactions like pinching, swiping, or tapping.
  • The curved form also makes it lightweight, unobtrusive, and ergonomic for extended use.

Prop Augmentation Mode

  • Slaptrack can be “slapped” onto uninstrumented 3D-printed props, transforming them into interactive tools. By embedding its sensors and tracking capabilities into the prop, it enables interactions like turning a printed sword into a virtual weapon or a steering wheel into an immersive driving controller.
  • This ability bridges the gap between physical and digital spaces, enhancing creativity and immersion.

Applications: Slaptrack in Action

  1. Gaming and Entertainment
    • Switch between using Slaptrack as a precision pointer for aiming, a gesture controller for spellcasting, or a prop enhancer for immersive gameplay.
  2. Design and Prototyping
    • Turn physical prototypes into interactive models, enabling designers to simulate and refine product interactions in real time.
  3. Professional and Industrial Use
    • Use Slaptrack for controlling machinery in AR environments, augmenting tools with smart functionality, or enabling hands-free interaction in complex workflows.

Challenges and Engineering Innovations

Developing Slaptrack required overcoming key challenges:

  1. Seamless Transitions
    • Engineering a device that can physically and functionally transition between modes without losing precision or usability.
  2. Sensor Integration
    • Combining laser speckle sensing, ultrasound tracking, and robust gesture recognition into a compact, flexible form factor.
  3. Durability
    • Ensuring the device withstands repeated transformations while remaining accurate and responsive.

Why Slaptrack Matters

Slaptrack redefines what an MR controller can be, merging adaptability, precision, and creativity into a single device. By transitioning effortlessly between pointer, wearable, and prop-augmenting modes, it eliminates the need for multiple tools, offering users an interaction experience that is as dynamic as the environments they explore.

Whether you’re navigating a virtual workspace, engaging in immersive gaming, or prototyping the future, Slaptrack is the ultimate MR companion—flexible, powerful, and always ready for what’s next. In a world where MR continues to push the boundaries of interaction, Slaptrack leads the way by making versatility the new standard.