LightVR uses headset camera to see real keyboard

SEATTLE, WA – Virtual Reality company and development studio MyDream Interactive Inc. today announced the early access release of LightVR, a multi-window computer interface for VR that lets users interface the Windows desktop, web apps, and games all from a fully customizable 360 VR space with multiple screens, 3D props, and environments.

LightVR is an experiment in creativity and functionality in VR, with a vision to be a virtual room simulator. This allows anyone to create the room of their dreams, with pre-made props and “technology posters” allowing users to decorate their rooms to their liking. For example, LightVR users could build a cozy and intimate environment, an enchanted forest, or a futuristic spaceship-style room. Part of a dream room is allowing infinite TVs and monitors, which is supported through LightVR’s functionality, allowing users to create as many web apps as they like, whether that means watching YouTube videos and playing a video game or Skyping with friends. With LightVR, the screens can be either familiar computer monitor screens, web apps (such as YouTube, Facebook, and Skype), or games. They can be freely positioned, oriented, curved or sized with the VR headset motion controllers.

Interaction with the Virtual Reality content can be either through a traditional mouse and keyboard input or directly with the controllers, where intuitive gestures are implemented. 3D applications are captured and presented in the VR space at 90 frames per second, providing seamless presence. The controllers can also be used to configure the LightVR space and to interact with other applications.

With LightVR, MyDream has pioneered the concept of enabling the forward-facing camera on the VR headset for users to see their keyboard, grab a drink off the desk, or engage with people around them without the need to remove the VR headset. The camera is blended with the virtual world and is activated based on a set of configurable gestures, such as the user looking down at the keyboard. This “blended reality” allows for ease of typing and maintaining awareness of the physical world.

The product is geared towards everyone from the casual VR user to those who want a fully-immersive VR experience with their headset on throughout. LightVR offers quality graphics which are realistically lit by the screen, and props which personalize the VR space. Window orientation, backgrounds, and additional features can also be customized and automatically saved so that when you exit and restart the application, it restores the same VR state. LightVR will be released on Steam on September 2, 2016.

“LightVR’s advantages over competing virtual desktops are freely customizable position, orientation, curvature and size of the virtual screens, gesture activated pass-through vision and lighting fast performance,” said Rouslan Dimitrov, lead developer of LightVR. “The ability to customize your VR preferences and to visually tap into the physical world are what make LightVR so groundbreaking.”

Pricing and availability

LightVR is an early-access product, available for $13.99. It will be on sale for $6.99 during the launch period, from September 2 to September 16. http://www.lightvr.co/

About MyDream Interactive Inc.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, MyDream Interactive is a pioneering development studio in virtual reality and virtual worlds. Designed by an eclectic team of game designers in collaboration with graphics experts, MyDream Interactive was founded by Allison Huynh with the mission of promoting the 3 Cs: Creativity, Collaboration and Courage in virtual reality and the virtual world of gaming.