This Fast Wireless Open Source KatWalk Receiver, Powered by XIAO nRF52840, Transforms Your VR Gaming Experience
If you’re a passionate virtual reality gamer, you might be very familiar with the super cool gadget KAT VR Treadmill, an advanced virtual reality locomotion device that allows users to walk, run, and move “freely” in any direction within VR environments. However, the original receiver requires a connection to a power socket, which somewhat contradicts the idea of a completely free VR gaming experience
To ensure a 100% wireless VR KatWalk experience, developer Anton Fedorov turned a XIAO nRF52840 into a KatVR C2/C2+ Bluetooth Receiver as a new alternative. This new receiver eliminates the need for cables, allowing for a more immersive and unrestricted VR experience. It connects directly to the KatVR’s C2/C2+ treadmill sensors and can be used with a PC or Oculus headset, enhancing your VR experience with reduced latency and smoother performance. This open-source project is hosted on GitHub and offers a comprehensive guide for DIY enthusiasts.
Hardwares
The hardwares used in this project are:
How the Project Works
The KatWalk Receiver serves as the central hub for wireless communication between the treadmill and the VR setup, ensuring seamless data transmission and synchronization. The nRF-based KatVR C2/C2+ Receiver project revolutionizes the traditional KatVRreceiver with a custom-built Bluetooth receiver using the XIAO nRF52840 microcontroller. This innovative receiver connects wirelessly to the KatVR treadmill sensors, capturing data from the foot and direction sensors at an impressive frequency of 100Hz, compared to the original 86Hz. Utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for communication, the microcontroller processes data with custom firmware developed on Zephyr OS, a robust real-time operating system. By bypassing the traditional GATT client to handle raw ATT packets directly, the project optimizes data processing and significantly reduces latency.
Additionally, the receiver emulates the original KatVR receiver’s USB HID interface, ensuring seamless integration with the existing KatVR system and providing users with a more responsive VR experience. The project enhances user-friendliness by storing sensor settings in non-volatile memory, eliminating the need for repeated pairing. Furthermore, the firmware supports dynamic updates of the USB PID and serial number, ensuring compatibility across various KatVR hardware versions. For a detailed look at this project in action, check out the testing and demo video on YouTube by Oshev.
Future Improvements
Anton Fedorov aims to explore the sensors’ firmware further to potentially increase the update rate to 133Hz and improve overall performance.
Build Your Own with Only $10 Investment
Interested in enhancing your VR setup with this innovative open source project? Read the detailed article on LinkedIn by Anton or visit the GitHub repository for a step-by-step tutorial on building your own XIAO nRF52840-based KatVR C2/C2+ Receiver. And the best part, it only cost you $9.9 for getting the XIAO nRF52840.
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About Author
This innovative project by Anton Fedorov transforms the VR gaming experience with its wireless KatWalk Receiver, powered by the XIAO nRF52840. By eliminating the need for cables, this receiver enhances immersion and freedom of movement in VR environments, connecting seamlessly to KatVR’s C2/C2+ treadmill sensors. The use of Bluetooth Low Energy and custom firmware ensures reduced latency and smoother performance, making it a must-have for VR enthusiasts seeking an upgraded setup.