Manus

Overview

Manus develops and provides advanced motion capture and virtual reality technology, focusing primarily on high-fidelity hand and finger tracking. Their product ecosystem includes sensor-equipped gloves (like the Quantum Metagloves and Prime X series, some with haptic feedback) and software solutions like Manus Core (for data management and streaming) and Polygon (an inverse kinematics solver for full-body motion capture).

The unique strength of Manus lies in the precision and detail of its finger tracking technology, enabling highly realistic digital hand interactions and animations. Combined with body tracking solutions (often integrating with systems like Vicon, OptiTrack, or SteamVR trackers via Polygon), Manus provides a comprehensive workflow for capturing nuanced human movement.

This technology significantly enhances productivity and realism in character animation for games and film, provides immersive interaction for VR training and simulation, and streamlines workflows in virtual production by allowing real-time performance capture. While likely leveraging AI/ML algorithms internally for sensor fusion, calibration, and data processing, Manus markets itself primarily as a motion capture hardware and software provider.

Key Features

• High-fidelity finger tracking via proprietary sensor gloves (e.g., Quantum Metagloves).
• Full-body motion capture solution using Polygon IK software and integration with body trackers.
• Manus Core software for data handling, calibration, and real-time streaming.
• SDK for custom integration and development.
• Optional haptic feedback in specific glove models (Prime X Haptic VR).
• Compatibility and plugins for major game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Integration with professional animation software (e.g., MotionBuilder).
• Support for various tracking systems (e.g., SteamVR, Vicon, OptiTrack, Xsens).
• Calibration tools for user and environmental setup.
• Wireless options available for some glove models.

Supported Platforms

• Windows App (for Core, Polygon)
• API Access (SDK)
• Integration Plugins (Unreal, Unity, MotionBuilder, etc.)

Integrations

• Unreal Engine
• Unity
• MotionBuilder
• IC.IDO
• VRED
• Xsens
• OptiTrack
• Vicon
• SteamVR Tracking

Use Cases

• Creating realistic character animation for games, film, and VFX.
• Developing immersive VR/AR training simulations.
• Real-time performance capture for virtual production.
• Ergonomics analysis and human factors research.
• Robotics teleoperation and control.
• Virtual prototyping and design reviews.

Target Audience

• Animators
• Game Developers
• VR/AR Developers
• Virtual Production Studios
• Researchers (Biomechanics, Robotics, HMI)
• Enterprise Training Departments
• Automotive & Aerospace Engineers (for simulation/ergonomics)

How Manus Compares to Other AI Tools

Roadmap & Upcoming Features

Company founded 2014; products released iteratively since.

Manus Core 2.3 released (approx. June 2024); Ongoing Polygon updates; Partnership with Varjo announced (September 2024).

Upcoming Features:

• Information not publicly available

User Reviews