Mokopi: Sony brings motion tracking to the home

With Mocopy, Sony has announced a motion tracking system for the home that transfers the user’s movements as accurately as possible to a virtual avatar in the metaverse. A total of six sensors for hands, feet, back and head cost the equivalent of around 360 euros, but for the moment the Mokopi has only been announced for Japan.

start with japan

Pre-sales in Japan will begin in mid-December this year, and the motion tracking sensors will be delivered by the end of January 2023. It is not yet known whether the product will be supplied to other markets soon. Color-coded sensors are attached to the arms, legs, back and head with straps and a clip. They have to be linked to a smartphone with its own app and use proprietary technology – Sony hasn’t revealed any details yet.

Real-time motion tracking with some sensors

With Mocopy, videos of a virtual avatar can be recorded and an avatar in the Metaverse can be controlled directly in real time. Metaverse apps like VRChat can be used for this. Although only six sensors are used, Sony promises a high degree of accuracy when it detects movements with the Mocopy. It aims to save both time and space when creating related video content, for example by “VTubers” (virtual YouTubers). However, Sony will also provide a software development kit (SDK) from December 15, for example for importing motion data into animation applications and linking tracking data to Metaverse services.

for film makers

With Mocopy, Sony is not only taking aim at the metaverse, but also looking to win over filmmakers and creatives alike. Sony says that existing avatars in the VRM file format can be used for Mocopy and recorded videos can be exported in MP4 format. It requires an Android device with Android 11 or higher or an iOS device with iOS 15.7.1 or higher.

Also for PS5 and PS VR2?

It is not yet clear what future products the sensors could be used with and whether they could also be used in conjunction with the PlayStation 5 and the VR headset PS VR2, which will be launched in February 2023.