Sony Mocopi brings body movements to the metaverse. In addition to its second-generation virtual reality headset for PS5, Sony unveiled a new product called Mocopi, consisting of six motion-sensing bands to be worn on the hands, feet, back and head, priced at 49,500 yen. around 340 euros.
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The goal is to allow the user to trace the movements of his body to transport them into characters on video in computer graphics, animations, but also to be able to manage avatars in real time with apps for virtual, augmented and metaverse reality, for example like VRChat.
The kit also comes with a developer SDK that allows you to import motion data into 3D animation apps. Mocopi’s six motion sensors use “proprietary technology and a smartphone” with a dedicated app, as Sony explains:
Normally, producing video using motion capture requires dedicated equipment and operators. Using our proprietary algorithm, ‘Mocopi’ achieves highly accurate motion measurement with a small number of sensors, freeing VTubers and creators involved in film and animation production from constraints of time and place
On December 15, Sony will deliver a software development kit (SDK) that connects motion capture data with metaverse services, along with the Unity real-time development platform and Autodesk’s MotionBuilder animation/mocap app.
In a video tutorial Sony shows how the user can pair the sensors to the app, wear them and calibrate them in the best possible way. From this moment the user can start dancing or make other movements and see his avatar repeat them exactly within the app.
It is an ambitious product aimed not only at users interested in the metaverse, but also at animation professionals and filmmakers. Sony notes that you can use VR avatars and export recorded videos in MP4 format, provided you have a device running iOS 15.7.1 or Android 11.
Sony Mocopi bookings will start in mid-December 2022 and the kit will go on sale at the end of January 2023, but unfortunately for the moment the Japanese electronics giant is not yet talking about availability in various international markets.
