STEM Production Status / GDC & SXSW Updates
We had an unexpected setback in the production process. The STEM Base, in its current configuration, failed testing for FCC/CE regulatory standards for a consumer product. While unfortunate, this is an issue that is completely resolvable. The reason the Base is failing is specifically due to our design of housing the five radio frequency (RF) dongles inside the Base. The RF dongles require grounding, but this grounding interferes with the electromagnetics (EM) of the tracking.
Here are a couple images of the testing facility:
To address this issue we redesigned the Base electronics to keep the RF dongles located internally but not conflicting with the EM. This will require the production of new Base PCBs and further testing to ensure everything is working properly.
If the redesigned Base passes the FCC/CE testing in April, and meets our performance requirements, we will be ready to start shipping systems in July.
If the reconfigured Base does not pass the FCC/CE compliance testing, we will be removing the dongles from the Base and positioning them externally. In this case, each Controller and/or Pack will require its own USB dongle, for which we will be providing a hub. If this configuration is what we need in order to pass the testing and, again, meet our performance requirements, we will be looking at shipping in September.
As mentioned in our previous update, we are currently building and shipping hand-assembled pre-production prototypes as quickly as we can. This process was also affected by the Base electronics redesign, but we expect to have them all shipped in the month of April.
And, for an update on the software, we had our first demos of our Unreal Engine 4 integration with the Sixense VR SDK and the STEM System at a couple of very successful events this month.
GDC
Below are some links to the reactions we received from the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco.
http://www.roadtovr.com/sixenses-danny-woodall-on-porting-jedi-academy-stem-demo-to-unreal-engine-4/
http://www.tested.com/tech/504034-hands-sixense-stem-vr-lightsaber-demo/
SXSW
Also, at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas we, for the very first time, opened access to the STEM System and our demos to the general public.
For three days straight, eight non-stop hours each day, we ran Jedis old and young through our Lightsaber demo. We can honestly say that everyone, regardless of their age, height, abilities, or technical acumen, had a excellent time.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/sixense-stem-lightsaber-fights,news-20649.html
http://tech.blog.austin360.com/2015/03/13/video-virtual-reality-with-sixense-at-sxsw-gaming/
Again, we're sorry that you have yet to receive your STEM as we've been working very hard to deliver the very best tracking solution for VR.
Thank you for your support,
Amir Rubin
Founder and CEO
Sixense
Ray Glendenning on
You seem to be spending most of your time touring the country instead of refunding our money
Matthew van Andel on
I understand how FCC bureaucracy can setback a product like this, and I appreciate the update. Do please try to keep us updated, though... even if it's something simple like photos of the two new units you're submitting for FCC testing. Nothing upsets backers more thoroughly than feeling kept in the dark. Still looking forward to the final STEM system, though!
Nick Foster on
Can I please request a refund.
Diego tealdo on
please i want a refund, i cant wait anymore.
Rick on
Thanks for the reply Creator.
Failing a test like this can always happen, especially when you're working on something as challenging as you guys and at the same time having to comply with strict regulations. I know from experience. From the demonstrations you have given so far, I still trust that this product will be something worth using and buying. And I'm looking forward to seeing the possible next iterations.
One thing I'm concerned about is lack of replies I see to social media. Is this a conscious decision not to reply to emotional outbursts in the community? Or just lack of time and insight in where these signals are coming from?
Sixense 2-time creator on
@Rick... That is exactly what we are planning on doing. We are moving towards testing two STEM Base configurations simultaneously, one with internal dongles and one with the dongles external to the base, in a USB hub.
@Richard Fleming... Regarding the Technolust issue, as we're in the development process ourselves and seriously want to get systems into everyone's hands as soon as possible, we have been, and will continue to do so until we have manufacturing in full swing, offering developers access to our Beta Program and giving them the option to purchase a pre-production prototype STEM System. This option is available to anyone who wants/needs a system prior to us having production units shipping.
@Chris Jarram... You really can't compare the development of the Hydra, a wired two-tracker system, to the STEM. The issues we're experiencing with the STEM are derived from the wireless communications of 5 trackers operating at 240 Hz with 4.2 ms of latency, all in sync, with in-base charging. The electromagnetics is certainly not the issue. The failed FCC tests are strictly because of what we're trying to, and will, accomplish on the wireless communication side.
Alexis Bossé on
I'm getting really tired of this. Refund would be nice.
NobleBrutus on
I am primarily concerned at the moment by the seeming lack of cooperation with devs to make sure I have stuff to play when my steam eventually arrives - technolust withdrawing support does not bode well.
Antonie Bouman on
If returning money isn't an option (I don't know for sure because u guys are just acting like nobody is asking for it) please keep is in the loop.. and don't tell us in about 4 months ohw it didn't work we are now building from scratch the new release date is 2017. PLEASE!!!
You say you have an community manager use him!! let him manage the community. Currently you guys are doing your best to get rid of the community.
Lambda Core on
Thanks for the update. This isn't a good experience for both you as developers and us as consumers, but we can't do anything about that either. These types of problems always occur at the finishing line.
Best of luck with getting that stuff sorted!
Chris Jarram on
July. A *year* late. Come on guys, this is really unacceptable for a company that has prior experience in developing similar products and is very difficult to see how you didn't see this coming.
You can't treat the KS community with this level of disregard - you are totally alienating your customers.
deleted on
This user's account has been deleted.
Riku Sasaki on
Good thing you guys have delays or you wouldn't have anything to talk about months after months...
Josh McCormick on
Hey, guys.
A lot has changed since September 2013. At that time, the Hydra was the ultimate input solution. But since that time, availability of the Hydra has tried up, and support by new software has dropped to almost zero.
The recent announcement by Valve of their Lighthouse technology has taken a great deal of oxygen out of the room when it comes to input. Not just you, but everyone else as well. Someone jokingly suggested (at least, I hope it was a joke) that you strip out all of your electronics and make it Lighthouse-ready instead.
In light of the competition which is out there, would you please consider spending some time explaining your solution and what unique advantages your solution brings to the table? You need to sell developers on your solution, and you need to sell the public on your solution. We realize that the initial Kickstart campaign has passed, but it is quickly becoming necessary for you to sell your solution to the public once again.
Thank you for your consideration.
Richard Fleming on
@Poz
1. For a game developer to support and take advantage of the characteristics of an input device they really do need to either have a good emulator or something very close to the real hardware - Razer Hydra isn't that for STEM.
2. If it is just Technolust that is only a big deal for those of us who backed both STEM and Technolust with with the expectation of being able to use them together.
3. My real concern is that Sixsense are continuing to drop the communications ball - with us is bad - with games developers committed to integrating their device - is disasterous - and risks turning STEM into legacy hardware even before it is released.
Richard Perry on
Thanks for the update, that is a cool holodeck looking room :)
Poz on
The Technolust issue should not effect Sixesnse, its just a little game that means nothing.
Developers can buy hydras and use them to implement the STEM system. Any honest developer that promised STEM support would go that route.
Steven Pickles on
What would normally be a disappointing update about delays was completely made up for by the nerdy details, thanks :)
Richard Fleming on
How do you intend to address the Technolust issue (and similar with other developers who need access to prototype - non-certified versions of STEM).
Tako Schotanus on
Sometimes a wonder about the size of the base station. Is the base filled with electronics needed for the actual tracking? Because otherwise a smaller design without the ability to put in the handsets might have been more useful. I mean look at the size of that thing.
At least I hope that the improved tracking range will allow me to put the base station... I don't know, under my desk or something, because no way it will fit *on* it (and even if it did, I wouldn't want to lose that much space).
Not too enthusiastic about this anymore unfortunately. Still, all the luck with the redesign and further testing.
Craig Delancy on
Well, my lease will be up for me before then, so I guess don't ship mine. I don't know when I will have an address for you to ship to.
Jon Ward on
Mark, I am also awaiting a refund after some conversations and promises in January I have had no further responses to any emails... @Creator?
Jon Ward on
Mark, I am also awaiting a refund after some conversations and promises in January I have had no further responses to any emails... @Creator?
Mark Wilson on
I'm still interested in a refund.
Sherwood Isaac James on
July is pretty close. Looking forward to swinging some virtual lightsabers!
Florian Horsch on
Carry on guys! You'll succeed in the end :-)
Rick on
Is it possible to test both suggested configurations at the same time during the next opportunity?