Monado, an open source platform for virtual reality devices

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Recently the publication of the first launch of the “Monado” project was announced, which is a new platform aimed at creating an open implementation of the OpenXR standard, which defines a universal API to create virtual and augmented reality applications, as well as a set of layers to interact with computers that abstract the characteristics of specific devices.

The standard was prepared by the Khronos consortium, which is also developing standards like OpenGL, OpenCL and Vulkan.

About Monado

Monado provides a runtime that fully complies with OpenXR requirements, which can be used to organize work with virtual and augmented reality on smartphones, tablets, PC and any other device, since the project develops several basic subsystems, which are the following:

  • A spatial vision engine: which is responsible for object tracking, surface definition, mesh reconstruction, gesture recognition, eye tracking.
  • A character tracking engine: Its function is to control the gyroscopic stabilizer, motion prediction, controllers, optical motion tracking through the camera, position tracking based on data from a VR helmet.
  • Composite server: handles direct output mode, video forwarding, lens correction, composition, workspace shaping to work simultaneously with multiple applications.
  • Interaction engine- This is responsible for the simulation of physical processes, a set of widgets and a toolkit for virtual reality applications.
  • Instrumentation: is responsible for the calibration of the equipment, establishment of movement limits, among other things.

How are youl Monado is the first OpenXR runtime for GNU / Linux and hopes to drive the development of an open source XR ecosystem and provide the fundamental building blocks for device vendors to target the GNU / Linux platform.

Of the main characteristics that stand out, are the availability of drivers for HDK virtual reality headsets (OSVR Hacker Developer Kit) and PlayStation VR HMD, as well as for the controllers PlayStation Move and Razor Hydra.

In addition to providing the possibility of using equipment compatible with the OpenHMD project and provide a driver for North Star augmented reality glasses.

Also has a set of udev rules to configure device access VR without obtaining root authorization, together with a driver for the Intel RealSense T265 position tracking system.

And also a ready-to-use composite server that supports direct output to the device, bypassing the system's X server. Shaders are provided for Vive and Panotools and support for projection layers.

Other of its characteristics are:

  • Motion tracking components with a frame for filtering and streaming video.
  • Character tracking system with six degrees of freedom (6DoF, forward / backward, up / down, left / right, yaw, pitch, roll) for PSVR and PS Move controllers.
  • Modules for integration with the Vulkan and OpenGL graphics APIs.
  • Screenless mode (headless).
  • Manage spatial interactions and points of view.
  • Basic support for frame synchronization and information input (actions).

About the first version of Monado

Today the first version is considered experimental and is aimed at beginning developers familiar with the platform.

In the current state of the project, Monado allows to create applications and track rotation on compatible devices using OpenHMD and also offers the ability to directly display the output to virtual reality devices bypassing the operating system graphics stack.

The project code is written in C and is distributed under the GPL-compliant Boost 1.0 Software License, which is based on the BSD and MIT licenses, but requires no mention when the derivative work is distributed in binary form.

Today the platform only supports Linux and compatibility with other operating systems is expected in the future.

Finally, If you want to know more about Monado, You can check the details, as well as being able to access the source code of this, from its official website.

The link is this.


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  1.   cause123 said

    I want a better vr for linux they are just with cv1 and unfinished valve leaves an arm and a leg. Htc lives apparently does not have many intentions so I asked on twitter. They have to have developer requests to first think about it.

    The other thing is that few are those who ask for development in linux those who use vr in super closed environments and the other is that few users who do want closed platforms and we already know the cloth of that!