VIVE Focus 3 LBE License

Partly because of the standard additional “VIVE Enterprise Warranty” (business warranty), the HTC VIVE Focus 3 is a smart and safe choice for companies wanting a reliable, wireless VR headset. But recently, HTC VIVE has made a number of (software) updates making the VIVE Focus 3 also very usable in a VR Arcade or other LBE environment (location based entertainment). In this blog, we will outline the new updates for the VIVE Focus 3.

With this update, the VIVE Focus 3 can track a much larger area than before, creating a real free-roam space. When the Focus 3 was launched, the tracking ability was limited to 15x15 meters (about the size of a tennis court). But with this new update, the VIVE Focus 3 can track an area up to a maximum of 33x30m (about 1000m2 - the size of 4 tennis courts). This means that a much larger play area is available for players to roam freely.

The LBE mode also allows you to create a playing field in any shape you want. You can choose to keep a square playing field (for example, 20x20 meters), but it is also no problem to maintain a rectangular playing field (for example, 15x25 meters). Once the playing field is set, it is not necessary to do this a second time (unless you want to change the playing field of course). The VR headset itself remembers the created playing field.

With the LBE mode, it is therefore possible to create an expanded playfield in a VR arcade environment. But this also makes the VR headset more suitable for training purposes, where a user has to walk around in a realistic way.

Map sharing was a highly requested feature among LBE users. Map sharing allows you to accurately see other VR headsets. This allows you to walk around with multiple Focus 3 glasses in the same room without bumping into each other. When you translate this to an LBE environment, you can, for example, create a VR escape room where a number of players physically stand next to each other and can interact with each other in the virtual world.

To enable map sharing, you only need to set up a play area with one Focus 3 headset. Then you can share this same play area with the other VR headsets. It is also possible to set other things, such as floor height and the direction the VR headset looks at during calibration.

The VIVE Focus 3 is compatible with the new WiFi 6E generation. This is the new standard that works on the 6 GHz frequency range. It not only offers extremely low latency (delay) and high bandwidth (perfect for VR streaming), but it also drastically minimizes the wifi interference that normally exists.

The VIVE Focus 3 has had the right characteristics from the beginning to be able to use WiFi 6E. So, there is no need to incur extra costs in the form of an additional license. WiFi 6E can be used as standard with every VIVE Focus 3 headset.

In VO mode, users can skip the standard environment configuration. This is usually a process you perform to demarcate the playing field in the room. But when you're in a VR arcade environment, you don't need to recalibrate each time, because the space stays the same (for example in a VR Cube). In that case, VO mode makes it possible to just put on the headset in the room and get started, without a separate calibration process. Especially handy when you're rotating multiple people in the same room (players take off the headset, and put it on a new player).

The LBE Hybrid Mode allows both the LBE mode and the VO mode to be used simultaneously. Most of the Focus 3 users use the headset in a free-roam environment with multiple players at the same time. Combining both the LBE mode and the VO mode therefore makes it possible to prepare calibration in advance with multiple headsets, so that groups only have to pass on the headset to new players and they can immediately start playing the game (without performing a new calibration).

• VIVE tracker calibration: the VIVE tracker calibration makes it easier to add an HTC VIVE tracker to the Focus 3 headset. For example, you can connect a separate tracker to the Focus 3 controller, but it is also possible to bring accessories to the virtual world, such as a tennis racket or a baseball bat.
• Disabling pop-up messages: if there is something annoying while playing, it's a pop-up message appearing on the screen. This takes you out of the VR experience. Therefore, it is possible to disable various pop-up messages, such as "no boundary set" and "no controller connected" etc.
• Floor detection: the floor height can be set entirely manually. You can even choose to have no floor.

Do you want to use the LBE and VO mode? Then it is possible to purchase a separate license. Purchasing the license is very simple: send an email to our sales department (sales@unboundxr.nl) and mention the number of licenses you want to use (note: each Focus 3 headset needs to have a separate license). You will receive a quote from us (or directly an order) for the number of licenses. And we will ask you for an Organization ID on which the licenses can be activated. Once the order is placed, we will contact HTC to activate the licenses on the correct Organization ID. This process usually only takes 1 business day.

Want to know more about the license? Or are you wondering which mode (LBE/VO/Hybrid) is suitable for your organization? We are happy to think along with you. If necessary, it is possible to schedule an online meeting to see which license is best for you. In addition, we can provide assistance with its implementation.