As the virtual reality headset Oculus Rift inches closer to its commercial release, virtual girlfriend technology in Japan has been make huge strides. Japanese developers have already found ways to sleep next to Hatsune Miku, sleep with Hatsune Miku, and even be Hatsune Miku. With those essential milestones out of the way, it was time to focus on the more subtle things.
One guy by the name of Negipoyoshi has created a more tranquil Hatsune Miku experience by designing a simulated drink sharing application that allows you to sit with the blue-haired vocaloid on a sunny patio by the sea as you share a single drink with two straws.
This program was created with the Oculus Rift Development Kit 2’s position-tracking function and a super-sized Coke spotted at a McDonald’s in mind.
This Hatsune Miku was built off the Unity virtual girl as seen in the girlfriend lap app/pillow that we covered a few weeks ago. After strapping on the headgear you’re transported to a quiet seaside villa seated at a tiny café table with a single drink for your two lovebirds to share. Looking around will prompt the virtual idol to remark “Nice weather isn’t it?” despite the fact that it’s clearly overcast.
It doesn’t matter though; you two are in love. Then as you move your head towards the real straw on your real table, your virtual head does the same. At the same time Hatsune’s head also goes in for a drink. This makes it difficult to distinguish whether that’s supposed to be you or her making the really loud gulping sound that goes on during this.
Occasionally she’ll look up at you and blush.
Then you just kind of stare at her for a while because she isn’t programed to have an actual conversation. Once you go in for the final gulp she declares the drink “delicious.”
From there I suppose you load up the lap application topped off with the hug pillow simulator for the full date experience. You probably have to take several bathroom breaks though as you had to have all that real cola to yourself.
Online comments to this innovation were largely positive:
“Awesome!”
“That’s bad! I’ll never come back to reality.”
“It’s the dawn of a new era.”
“Total waste of technology!”
We’re pretty sure that “waste” comment was meant in a positive way.
It’s pretty impressive for something a guy whipped up in his bedroom and shows the potential of Oculus Rift and other headsets like it. In fact it inspired me to create my own fantasy VR scenario with Hatsune Miku. In it she sympathizes with me on how hard it is to maintain a good credit score and then approves my mortgage application by stamping it with a giant leek.
Source: Niconico via Niconico News (Japanese)