Tundra Tracker - Now Live on Kickstarter!

The Tundra Tracker is significantly smaller and lighter than the alternatives in the competition. Our prototypes only weigh 40 grams and we expect production devices to weigh between 46 to 50 grams! The Tundra tracker has a sleek profile of 50.2 x 50.2 x 38.5 (all dimensions in millimeters). The innovative design does not include "horns" to hold onto cables and is designed with the lowest possible center of gravity to prevent "wobbling" while wearing

With a battery life that STILL remains unmatched, we're packing a hefty 850 mAh battery into our small size! Thanks to sensor optimization and a smart low-power design, the Tundra Tracker can work for at least 7 hours

Exclusive to Kickstarter, the Tundra Tracker comes with two base plates:

• Belt / shoelace loop
• Universal 1/4 screw attachment

The base plates are designed with customization in mind. We're also planning to release the Baseplate 3D / CAD, so you can remix the base however you like, and it's simple enough to be 3D printed

For some fun, we surveyed the community to set the name for our unique USB-to-wireless USB adapter (often called a dongle). The community spoke loud and clear:

The name is Dongle ... Dongle McDongleface

For convenience, we also call it the Super Wireless Dongle and abbreviate it as "SW". With one of our SW dongles, a single USB connection can be used for multiple SteamVR devices

There are 3 versions you will find in the support layers:

• SW3 Dongle - can connect to up to 3 devices simultaneously
• SW5 Dongle - up to 5 devices
• SW7 Dongle - up to 7 devices

The Super Wireless Dongle is conveniently designed to fit within the Valve Index FrunkIf you already have "junk in your Frunk" or another headset, no problem, the SW can be directly connected to the PC with an included USB extension cable

Our dongles use universal Valve firmware that is compatible with any SteamVR device. This means they can be used not only to communicate with Tundra Tracker, you can also use them to connect to:

• Valve Index Controllers
• HTC Vive and Vive Pro "Wand" Controllers
• Vive Trackers
• etee Controllers
• Logitech VR-Ink
• Any custom controller developed with the SteamVR HDK

Real-world tests by enthusiasts and the community have given us credibility and confirmation that our prototypes track well despite the size once thought to be impossible

Miyu, our brilliant community manager in Japan, has created a collection of full-body demos using various popular VR applications. We will continue to expand this list to support as many people as possible!

The shape of the Tundra Tracker has been designed from the start with precision and ease of use in mind

The SteamVR Tracking algorithm works well when the optical sensors are shaped into a constellation, with three sensors creating a plane and a fourth sensor as far from this plane as possible

By increasing the distance between these points, tracking performance is optimized. We have developed a "folded" geometry that offers this flat point distance, while minimizing the total number of sensors and the volumetric envelope of the device

Miniaturization is the superpower of Tundra Lab. Inside the Tundra Tracker, extensive work has been done to determine the most straightforward origami of complex flexible electronics

Eventually, all electronics are distilled into a single manufacturable flexible circuit that has a very high panel use to maximize factory efficiency and minimize raw material and waste costs

The tracker's core processing engine - TL448K6D-VR - also known as "Watchman" includes two ARM Cortex-M4 processors, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), 2.4 GHz radio, MEMs inertial measurement unit and two precise MEM clocks. It probably runs Doom, but we haven't tried - John Carmack please contact us (just kidding)

Since the Tundra Tracker is an electronic device and also a device that will perform wireless (RF) transmission and reception, it is required to perform a number of regulatory tests and certifications to deliver products to customers. We are working with an external testing company to provide certification in the following regions:

• United States - FCC
• Canada - IC
• European Union - CE
• Japan - TELEC / MIC
• Australia / New Zealand
• South Korea
• China

In addition to these countries, we are working to expand our regulatory footprint as much as possible and support as many customers worldwide as possible

Luke Beno, the founder of Tundra Labs, has been working on SteamVR Tracking since 2015. First as a Field Applications Engineer at Triad Semiconductor, where he worked directly with the Valve team to create the sensor ASIC technology that eventually became an integral part of SteamVR Tracking

In 2018, Tundra Labs was established to continue this mission and collaborate with hardware OEMs to integrate tracking into their products. During this time and in various capacities, Tundra Labs has worked on nearly every SteamVR integration. This includes major brands like LG, Acer, Varjo, Logitech, JVC, Wandelbots, Athanos3D and others that remain confidential

In early 2020, Tundra Labs announced the availability of the first fully integrated TL448K6D-VR System in Package (SIP). This device has significantly reduced the cost, complexity, and size of the "Watchman" electronics needed to create a SteamVR product. These modules are now being shipped to customers worldwide in large quantities. In addition, we launched our first developer kit, the TL448K6D-HDK, which allows developers to create their own, unique devices with Valve software tools.