As we’ve discussed before, the VR headset tracks the movement and orientation of your head. This allows you to look around the virtual environment just by turning or tilting your head, just as you would in real life.

Many VR systems include one or two handheld controllers. These devices are equipped with various sensors that allow the system to track their position and orientation. This means that you can use your hands to interact with the virtual environment in a natural and intuitive way. For example, you might use a controller to pick up a virtual object, use a tool, or press a button.

External Sensors or Cameras

Some VR systems use external sensors or cameras to track the position and orientation of the headset and controllers. These devices are often placed around the edges of the area you’ll be using for VR. They continuously monitor the position of the headset and controllers, providing a reference point for your location within the virtual space.

Certain high-end VR platforms have the capacity to monitor the movements of your whole body. This can be implemented using a variety of techniques, like deploying extra sensors attached to your body or utilizing cameras or other equipment to observe your movements. Body motion tracking allows you to physically navigate within the virtual space, and it also provides a more accurate depiction of your body’s movements, such as bending, tilting, or swinging a leg.

Inside-Out Tracking

Many newer VR headsets use a technique called inside-out tracking. Instead of relying on external sensors or cameras, these headsets have built-in cameras that constantly scan the environment around you. This allows the headset to track its own position and orientation, and often the position of the controllers, without the need for any external devices.

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