Publish Time: 2025-12-02 Origin: Site
Inside-out vs Outside-in Tracking: Which Is Better for XR Venues?
(A Technical & Commercial Comparison for Location-Based XR Operators)
Tracking technology is the foundation of every location-based XR attraction.
Whether it is a Matrix Space arena (HTC VIVE / Outside-in)
or a VR Cinema / 9D Chair with standalone headsets (DEEPOON / Inside-out) ,
the tracking method determines:
Accuracy
Stability
Maintenance workload
Daily throughput
Multiplayer scalability
Total cost of ownership
This article provides a clean, engineering-grade comparison of Inside-out vs Outside-in tracking, followed by a clear recommendation for different XR venue types.
Inside-out tracking uses sensors on the headset itself to detect movement by scanning the surrounding environment.
DEEPOON E3 (used in 9D VR Cinema / 360 VR chairs)
PICO 4 Enterprise
Meta Quest 2 / 3
Cameras on the headset map the environment
SLAM algorithms calculate movement
No external base stations are required
| Parameter | Inside-out Tracking |
|---|---|
| Setup time | Very quick (plug-and-play) |
| Required hardware | Only headsets |
| Accuracy | Medium–High |
| Multiplayer tracking | Limited (2–6 users) |
| Space size | Small–medium (2–25㎡) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Cost | Low |
Outside-in uses external base stations / sensors installed around the play area to track each headset and controller.
HTC VIVE Lighthouse system
SteamVR 2.0 Tracking
OptiTrack / Active marker systems (for high-end XR arenas)
Multiple infrared/base stations scan the entire field
Trackers reflect signals back to receivers
Provides highly precise position & rotation data
| Parameter | Outside-in Tracking |
|---|---|
| Setup time | Longer (needs calibration) |
| Required hardware | Base stations + trackers |
| Accuracy | Extremely high |
| Multiplayer tracking | High (8–20 users) |
| Space size | Medium–large (10–200㎡) |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Cost | Medium–High |
Inside-out: Relies on camera vision → may drift in low light
Outside-in: Millimeter-level tracking → highly stable
➡ For precision shooting games like “Matrix Space” (12+ games) → Outside-in is superior.
Inside-out: 20–30 ms
Outside-in: 5–10 ms
➡ Lower latency = higher immersion for XR arenas.
Inside-out: Difficult above 6 players
Outside-in: Easily supports 8–20 players
➡ Your large-space XR products (e.g., multiplayer shooting) require Outside-in.
Inside-out: Best for single-seat devices like:
9D VR Cinema (2–4 seats)
360 VR Motion Chairs
Racing simulators
Outside-in: Best for free-roam attractions like:
Matrix Space 13㎡ arena (HTC VIVE)
Glory Battlefield / Shooting Arenas
XR Walkthrough experiences
| Cost Type | Inside-out | Outside-in |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware cost | Low | Medium |
| Installation | Very low | Medium |
| Calibration | None | Required |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium-High |
Inside-out = 1 operator
Outside-in = 1–2 operators (depending on arena size)
Inside-out devices (e.g., VR cinema, 9D chair) often operate solo seats with fast turnover.
Outside-in arenas (Matrix Space) provide:
Group experiences
High ticket price
High retention value
| Venue Type | Recommended Tracking | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 9D VR Cinemas (2–4 seats) | Inside-out | Plug & play, low cost, stable in chair setups |
| 360 VR Chairs | Inside-out | Small footprint, high turnover |
| VR Racing / Flight Simulators | Inside-out | No external sensors needed |
| Small VR Shops (10–20㎡) | Inside-out | Lower investment |
| Shooting Arenas (8–12 players) | Outside-in | High accuracy required |
| Matrix Space 13㎡ Arena | Outside-in | Lighthouse tracking ensures stability |
| Large XR Venues (50–200㎡) | Outside-in | Multi-player reliability |
| Tourism XR Walkthrough | Outside-in | Large-space precision |
→ Use Inside-out tracking
9D VR Chair
360 VR Cinema
VR Motion Chairs
Racing Simulators
→ Use Outside-in tracking
Matrix Space 12-player arena
Glory Battlefield
Free-roam XR shooting
Outside-in is the only tracking method that ensures precision for large-space multiplayer XR attractions.
Inside-out tracking is ideal for:
Small VR setups
Single-seat machines
Low-maintenance operators
Outside-in tracking is ideal for:
Multiplayer XR arenas
High-precision shooting
Large-space XR environments
For most commercial XR venues:
➡ Both tracking types should coexist depending on the attraction type.