Various hololive VTubers try out and showcase Sony’s latest motion capture tech, “Mocopi”
Mocopi has absolutely changed the game for VTubers. Virtual content creators, both on the corporate and indie side, can now have easily-accessible 3D motion capture at the palms of their hands, or rather just below the palms on their wrists!
image source: twitter.com © 2016 COVER Corp.
Several hololive VTubers have already tried and demonstrated the Mocopi system on their livestreams, resulting in some interesting and occasionally hilarious moments.
holoJP’s Usada Pekora, Houshou Marine, Yukihana Lamy, Hakui Koyori, Amane Kanata, and Momosuzu Nene showcased their 3D models on Marine's channel during a livestream, comparing the different ways they could manipulate these models.
Some of the talents utilized the Mocopi system, while others used their models remotely. During the Livestream, they successfully highlighted the various differences in their 3D model manipulation, apart from the obvious ones.
Those that controlled their models remotely (meaning they used no tracking with controls similar to a video game) had more stiff movements, with options and presets for more complex movements.
In contrast, the talents who used Mocopi had more fluid and free movements. However, there were also instances when the Mocopi users encountered tracking issues, revealing current limitations in the technology.
Still, Mocopi offered much more freedom in movement, and because of that we can expect to see more VTubers, even those outside of hololive, to purchase and use the mocap device more frequently.
image source: youtube.com
Sony started selling their new mocap product in late January 2023, and it has quickly picked up speed in interest since then. Using six motion-tracking bands worn on both wrists, ankles, head, and behind-the-back waistline, Mocopi tracks full-body motion data in real time.
Instead of going into a dedicated motion capture studio to record body tracking, or even building an extensive studio for oneself like hololive EN Myth’s Amelia Watson has, one can use the Mocopi system with just the six tracking sensors and a smartphone at the cost of just $358.
This new technology is far from the professional levels of motion capture seen in the 3D concerts produced by hololive, but it will certainly allow for more opportunity and accessibility to 3D motion capture, especially considering the cost of dedicated tracking suits, cameras, and setups that can go up to thousands of dollars.
Needless to say, Mocopi has opened up all kinds of possibilities in the VTuber sphere. It almost seems like this product was made for this niche of virtual content creators. But there is definitely potential in Mocopi for other applications and necessities, such as motion tracking for animation, CGI, modeling, and much more.
image source: gadgetmatch.com
The introduction of Mocopi has revolutionized the way VTubers can create content, offering a more accessible and affordable way to produce high-quality 3D motion capture. While there are still some limitations and technical issues with the technology, it has already been adopted by several hololive VTubers, and we can expect to see more and more content creators using it in the future.
With its potential for other applications beyond VTubing, Mocopi is a game-changer in the world of motion capture technology, especially for those without access to more dedicated and defined studio mocap. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, it will be exciting to see what new possibilities it will unlock for virtual content creators and beyond.
