The PS VR2 is apparently getting a new feature with the addition of hand-tracking for PS5 games, something that the headset lacked prior to launch and, technically still lacks today. At least from a consumer standpoint.
Hand-tracking isn’t a completely new feature in VR headsets and can actually be found in options from Meta, Pico, and HTC’s Vive. It’s interesting that it wasn’t included in Sony’s PS VR2 given the standard price for it. But it seems not to matter too much in the long run, as the headset’s hardware appears to support it, and it’s just a matter of Sony getting things up and running.
When this actually ends up being available for users is still unclear, however. As there don’t seem to be any reports of users having access to it.
Sony is demoing hand-tracking on the PS VR2 at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024
Sony hasn’t officially announced the hand-tracking feature, but it is demoing the feature at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024. As reported by Upload VR, Sony is showing off the hand-tracking with the headset and even has an overview of how it works.
The hand-tracking will recognize several gestures including pinching, pointing, and grabbing, and it works with both the left and right hands as one would expect. Sony says the hand-tracking feature will be available with the latest SDK of PlayStation 5, but this is for developers in particular and not end users. That might be why Sony hasn’t made an official announcement about it yet. As it’s still showcasing how it works for developers so they can incorporate hand-tracking into their games.
Hand-tracking is recognized at 60 frames per second
In addition to listing some of the recognizable gestures, Sony also mentions that the tracking rate is at 60 frames per second with low latency. The company also says that the hands are displayed smoothly. Sony only details three examples of gestures but it says there are 12 total gestures that hand-tracking will recognize. In a tweet from @kure_kure_zo on X, a video of the hand-tracking demonstration can be seen, and everything does indeed appear to be working pretty smoothly.
If developers do have access already, then PS VR2 owners might start seeing some games with this feature arrive in the near future.