Easily Add Head Tracking for Any Modern Game

Head tracking is, of course, essential to VR gaming. As shown by Adrian Schwizgebel’s qeMotion project, however, this can be a handy addition to almost any video game. This is especially helpful for shooters like PUBG and Rainbow Six Siege where you’re able to lean around corners. Instead of interfering with the commonly used Q and E keys, Schwizgebel’s setup allows him to just move his head back and forth to have the character follow suit with its body.

While this might seem like an involved hack, it’s actually quite simple hardware-wise, requiring an Arduino Pro Micro, an MPU-6050, and wire to hook everything up. The IMU attaches to a standard gaming headset’s earpiece and interfaces with a computer over USB via the Arduino.

Code is available in the project write-up, and if you want to get really fancy, you can add 3D-printed enclosures for the sensor and Arduino sections, as well as mode select buttons and indicator LEDs.

The concept adaptable to a wide range of situations and hardware, so hopefully it will inspire other projects. If you do want the same thing, Schwizgebel plans to design a custom downloadable PCB for the project, and he may even offer it for sale. For now, check it out in action via the video below, and perhaps you can hack your own together in short order!