GDC 2018: uSens Opens Beta Program to uSensAR, the Smartphone Augmented Reality Engine, to Help Game Developers Reach Two Billion Android phones

SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- GDC 2018, Booth #1528 -- uSens, Inc., a pioneer in HCI and computer vision augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) solutions, today announced the opening of the beta program of uSensAR, the Smartphone Augmented Reality (AR) Engine. uSensAR is a single camera, smartphone AR engine that is optimized for low-end cameras, sensors and IMUs, with the mission to bring AR experiences to all Android smartphones. The uSensAR SDK will include plugins for Unity, C++ and Java.

In a related move, Guitar Hero co-founder Charles Huang has been named Board Advisor to drive uSensAR adoption in the video game industry, where his expertise spans almost two decades.  Huang co-founded RedOctane in 1999 with his brother, Kai, where the pair created the critically-acclaimed Guitar Hero series. Guitar Hero was the best-selling video game of 2007, becoming the second video game ever to exceed $1B in annual sales. To date, sales for the franchise have exceeded $5B. Huang also serves on the board of startups in the video game, connected toy, and music technology industries, and also advises several VC and PE funds.

"Since 1999, I have seen the potential of video gaming technology to immerse users in a new world, where they can be center stage," said Huang. "AR is such an exciting technology because it furthers immersion, blending real and virtual worlds so users can experience the game, as opposed to having it presented to them. While other AR engines have focused on top-tier phones and hardware, uSensAR will bring in hundreds of millions of new customers to the AR market. Leading gaming, toy, and ecommerce brads have already initiated projects to harness the potential of AR and with the customer base growing from platforms like uSensAR, more investment will flow into the market. It's an exciting time to be involved!"

Unlike other AR engines and frameworks, uSensAR is optimized for mid and low-tier phones, with even better performance on high-end smartphone models. At the end of 2017, uSens partnered with Spreadtrum Communications, a leading SoC company, to enable the development of AR apps and experiences for the Spreadtrum SC9853 chipset platform. Powered by SLAM technology, uSensAR provides a series of computations and algorithms that construct a virtual map of an environment. This markerless approach tracks a user's location by continuously scanning and learning about their environment via computer vision.

"The number of AR-capable Android smartphones is still quite small, with estimates putting it at 100M by the end of 2018," said Anli He, uSens co-founder and CEO. "In order for the AR industry to thrive, it is essential that game developers have a larger target market to cater to - uSensAR is aiming to solve this problem by making every Android smartphone, an AR device. Charles joins us at an exciting time in our company's development, where his imagination and understanding of the gaming industry will help us connect with the most creative and innovative content developers in the industry, starting with our beta program."

uSensAR features include:

• Mobile, inside-out motion tracking
• Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) which utilizes IMU and camera sensors for motion tracking
• Low CPU and battery consumption
• Markerless tracking
• Advanced plane detection technology
• Environmental understanding via SLAM technology
• Loop closure and relocalization
• Millimeter-level position accuracy 
• 100% developed in-house, specifically for smartphones
• Support for Unity, C++ and Java

Find more information about uSensAR at https://en.usens.com/products/usensar/.

Visit uSens at GDC:
South Hall, Booth #1528
uSensAR is available to demo at GDC, as well as uSens's pioneering AR/VR 26DOF hand tracking technology, on the new HTC Focus.

Download the media kit at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yvp258tbaw7upq8/AACUvx610XMHz0kk0T9_MmIXa?dl=0

About uSens, Inc.
uSens is a pioneer in computer vision-based 3D HCI technology that is changing how we interact with next-generation technology forever. Our team possesses decades of domain experience in computer vision and artificial intelligence acquired at companies like Apple, Samsung and Intel. We provide augmented & virtual reality, automotive, and IoT companies with the most natural, intuitive and immersive interactive solutions.

Our pioneering inside-out, 26DOF (degrees of freedom) hand-tracking technology is a breakthrough in HCI allowing users to control virtual worlds with their bare hands. Our inside-out 6DOF positional tracking solution based on SLAM technology is a key component in building immersive AR/VR experiences. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Silicon Valley with additional offices in China, uSens has raised $26.6M in VC funding to date. Contact us at [email protected], visit us at www.usens.com, and follow us at @usensinc.

Media Contact:
William McCormick
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE uSens, Inc.

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