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Microsoft files patent application for vibrating VR mat
The application, which was first noted by Variety, proposes a “[VR] floor mat activity region” embedded with sensors to enhance the experience of playing a VR game while also preventing the user from crashing into nearby furniture and walls.
The mat would be integrated into a gaming system, which uses a combination of optical sensors, fiducial markers and “spatially distributed” pressure sensors in the mat to calculate the user’s position in a 3D space and shape a simulated world around them. This could reduce reliance on sensors within the headset.
“The virtual reality experience for the user is selectively augmented based on the positioning of the physical subject identified relative to the activity region,” the application explained. “For example, a notification of a user's proximity to a boundary of the activity region may be provided to the user through visual, auditory, or haptic feedback.”
The application suggested that the user could receive notifications within their VR session if they approach a boundary of the mat, allowing them to avoid crashing into real-world objects. Small vibrating devices could be inserted into the mat to provide haptic feedback to help the user remain within the boundaries of the mat as well as to provide in-game feedback. The application suggests having different textures towards the outside of the mat, presumably to warn the user that they are reaching its boundaries.
The filing also suggests establishing a set ‘starting point’ at the centre of the mat. When the user stands here, a game begins to run.
Several different designs are suggested, including a modular form which would allow for multiple mats to interlock and cover a large area.
As is usually the case with patent applications, this will not necessarily become a commercial product, but it indicates the possible directions Microsoft’s engineers are exploring. The application does not specify which headset the mat would connect with, and it mentions a range of possible computing devices the mat could be used with, including PCs, smartphones, and wearables.
Microsoft’s mixed-reality ventures are currently focused on business rather than entertainment; the HoloLens smart glasses are designed for business, design, training (including military training) and education, with minimal gaming applications. However, the mat could be intended for use with Microsoft’s gaming-focused Kinect motion sensor controller, which was launched in 2010 and intended for use with the Xbox 360 and Xbox One but discontinued in 2017. One of the diagrams included with the application features a device sitting on of a television which bears a very strong resemblance to the Kinect. In May 2018, Microsoft teased a return for the Kinect, suggesting that the dead device could have applications beyond gaming.
TCL takes ‘cautious’ first steps into smartphone space
Addressing delegates at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, TCL unveiled its first self-branded smartphone, whilst further revealing that it had concrete plans to also produce foldable electronics and 5G phones. TCL has years of experience producing consumer electronics under the BlackBerry and HP Palm brands, but this announcement marked its first serious step into the global smartphone market.
According to Stefan Streit, TCL global marketing manager, the maturation of the IoT – a world in which connected devices are constantly exchanging data – marks a good time for the company to bring something new to the market. He believes that hardware innovation in the smartphone market has stalled in the past decade and TCL can bring “more than another Chinese smartphone” through the introduction of entirely new form factors and features. He acknowledges that this will not happen overnight; rather, it is part of a “very long-term strategy” for the company.
TCL
Image credit: TCL
The first step in this strategy is the launch of the Plex smartphone, which boasts a large, high-performance LCD display and retails for €329. Jason Gerdon, TCL’s head of global communications and strategy, says that this budget-friendly price point was made possible thanks to years of affordable manufacturing experience, vertical integration in the TCL consumer group and selectivity in deciding which features to optimise. TCL chose to focus on catering to the increasing consumption and generation of media on smartphones, beefing up the display (powered by its own dedicated chipset) and camera set.
“The smartphone market is really, really saturated and if you try to build a one-size-fits-all phone, the reality is that’s not really practical anymore,” said Gerdon. “I liken a smartphone now to a car: everyone has their own tastes, everyone has different budgets, everyone has different needs, so for us it's about looking at how we can take what we’re experts in and finding that bit of the market that we can address.”
TCL acknowledges that it does not have a sufficiently strong reputation at this point to shift top-range smartphones: “Prices at the thousand-dollar range are brand-related and not our territory”. The first iteration of the Plex – already available in some markets – will not be launched in the UK, with TCL claiming to be unconcerned about selling a large number of handsets. The Plex instead marks the starting point for a portfolio of devices to be rolled out over the coming years. “It’s very important for us that this is a long-term strategy and this is bigger than just a smartphone; this is an entire TCL ecosystem coming to the market,” Streit added.
At next year’s major consumer tech events, TCL are expected to reveal a design for their foldable smartphone, having previously revealed a prototype at IFA (slightly chunky, wide-rimmed and proportioned like a miniature laptop or old-school Nintendo DS). Gerdon believes that despite seeing a “flash in the pan” surrounding foldable electronics in early 2019, the area remains a ‘Wild West’ with almost any form factor being possible. He commented how ensuring that the software running on these devices responds in a meaningful way to folding and bending is just as important as nailing the novel hardware; for example, how should Android respond when you wrap a flexible screen around your wrist?
“If you don’t have a good [software] solution there it doesn’t matter how good the hardware experience is, the user will be disappointed because they feel like this isn’t smart any more. This is a thing where we feel like it takes time and we accept the challenge,” Streit said. TCL confirmed that it is has been working with other parties to experiment with software to suit more unusual foldable electronics, with the possibility of future flexible displays worn on the wrist and multi-hinge devices. The company hopes that these devices could be sold for “much less” than the $2,000+ price point emerging as standard for a foldable phone.
In addition to foldable devices, TCL is in the relatively advanced stages of developing a ‘wearable display’ which conjures up the appearance of a large, bright cinema-style screen held before the eyes without blocking out peripheral vision, allowing for a private yet not totally isolated viewing experience. Streit confirmed that the device had generated interest from the porn industry, inevitably, in addition to other potential business partners in such sectors as fashion and design. Under TCL’s “cautious” approach to rolling out this portfolio of devices and building a reputation as a reliable brand, however, it could be years until this type of display is available to consumers.
“We couldn’t care less about the marketing message of saying ‘We’re first!’. If you’re first to market but the product fails, then what have you achieved?” Gerdon said, diplomatically neglecting to name any competitors perhaps guilty of this.
Mike Welch – A Legend Passes On
I feel a need to tell the story of how Mike and I met and started working together. In 2004 I was the General Manager of a the Ford Service Parts Business working for Schneider Logistics (SLI). Ford was building out their Daily Parts Advantage service model and asked SLI to somewhat replicate what we were already doing for GMSPO. As the GM I had to find dedicated carriers to make all the deliveries nationwide to almost 5K dealers and we were having trouble finding a carrier in Evansville, Indiana.
Luckily, I had an acquaintance who used to sell truck parts but now owned a company called Segmentz. They were a very small LTL company and at the time Ford wanted to really look at costs and so we took a chance on this small, unknown and very inexperienced company. Right after we contracted with them they purchased Express-1 from Mike Welch. This acquisition is what made Express-1 a public company and it turns out the only real profitable part of the merger / acquisition was the part we contracted with for the Ford Service Parts.
This caused Mike to become President of the combined company and they shed just about everything that was Segmentz. This is how I met Mike. I was living in Novi, MI and Green Bay, WI at the time.
Fast forward to 2005 and I had decided to leave SLI and went to Whirlpool in St. Joe Michigan. One morning I went to get my haircut and who was in the barber chair but Mike Welch! I was shocked as I really had no idea they were based in Buchanan. We talked a lot and it turns out Mike was deeply involved in my son's school and he was a great expedite provider to Whirlpool. This meant I was able to rekindle both our professional work and our personal relationship. So, what did I learn from Mike:
- He was a humble man and he taught me the art of humility. While being wildly successful in the logistics business he never sought the spotlight. He made his business better, he took care of his associates and he made his customer's businesses better.
- He taught me about giving back. While he clearly made a lot of money when he sold to XPO he always took care of the community. He always was there when we needed him for the boys and girls clubs, the Lakeshore Foundation and anything else which would make the community better. He was always there.
- He never forgot his friends. While I considered him a friend I would not say we were super close however every time I saw him you would think we had been friends since grade school. He always had time and he always engaged.
- Finally, he was a great businessman. He was an entrepreneur, he served his customers, he was proud of what he built and he always was innovating. I learned a lot about just down to earth business concepts from him.
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