Tilt Five
| Tilt Five | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Tabletop AR, Gaming AR |
| Platform | Windows, Android, iOS |
| Creator | Jeri Ellsworth |
| Developer | Tilt Five |
| Manufacturer | Tilt Five |
| Announcement Date | September 2019 (Kickstarter) |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Price | $299-$359 (glasses), $359-$499 (LE kit) |
| Website | https://www.tiltfive.com/ |
| Versions | Tilt Five (standard), Tilt Five LE (Limited Edition kit) |
| Requires | Windows PC, Android device, or iOS device with compatible game |
| Predecessor | CastAR (cancelled project) |
| Successor | None announced |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows, Android, iOS (host device) |
| Chipset | Custom processing |
| CPU | Host device dependent |
| GPU | Host device dependent |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Host device dependent |
| Memory | Host device dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual pico projectors |
| Subpixel Layout | Projected RGB |
| Peak Brightness | High (retroreflective projection) |
| Resolution | 1280 × 720 per eye (720p) |
| Pixel Density | High (projected) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 110° diagonal |
| Horizontal FoV | ~96° |
| Vertical FoV | ~55° |
| Average Pixel Density | Medium |
| Peak Pixel Density | Medium |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pico projector + retroreflective gameboard |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses-friendly) |
| Passthrough | Yes (optical see-through) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (glasses + wand controller) |
| Tracking Frequency | High-speed |
| Base Stations | None required (gameboard tracking) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No (wand controller) |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 60Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Gameboard area |
| Play Space | Tabletop (gameboard required) |
| Latency | Low latency |
| Audio | |
| Audio | No (use external) |
| Microphone | No |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | Head-tracking camera |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB (wired to host), Bluetooth (controller) |
| Ports | USB connection |
| Wired Video | Yes (USB) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes (controller) |
| Power | USB powered (glasses), Battery (controller) |
| Battery Capacity | Controller: Battery powered |
| Battery Life | Controller: Extended |
| Charge Time | Controller varies |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Lightweight glasses form |
| Weight | 95g (glasses) |
| Material | Plastic, lightweight materials |
| Headstrap | None (temples) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | IMU, tracking camera |
| Input | Wand controller (6DoF), compatible gamepads |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
The Tilt Five is a tabletop augmented reality gaming system developed by Tilt Five, founded by Jeri Ellsworth, first announced via Kickstarter in September 2019 and released in 2021. Representing a unique approach to AR gaming, Tilt Five uses lightweight glasses (95 grams) with dual pico projectors that beam images onto a proprietary retroreflective gameboard, creating shared holographic experiences specifically designed for tabletop gaming scenarios. The system delivers an unprecedented 110° diagonal field of view—85% light efficiency through the lenses—with 1280 × 720 resolution per eye, far exceeding the FOV of typical AR headsets and even some VR headsets. Unlike standalone AR glasses, Tilt Five requires connection to a Windows PC, Android device, or iOS device and uses the special gameboard as both a projection surface and tracking reference point. The system includes a 6DoF wand controller for precise interaction with holographic game elements, enabling multiple players with their own glasses to see the same holographic board game from their respective perspectives. Originally evolved from the cancelled CastAR project at Valve, Tilt Five has established a growing library of AR-adapted board games and original titles, targeting the tabletop gaming community with an accessible, social AR experience priced starting at $299 for the glasses alone or $359-$499 for complete kits including the gameboard and controller.
History and Development
CastAR Origins
Project background:
- Valve hardware research
- Jeri Ellsworth development
- Technical Labs spin-off
- AR projection concept
Company Founding
Tilt Five establishment:
- Founded by Jeri Ellsworth
- CastAR technology evolution
- Tabletop gaming focus
- Consumer accessibility
September 2019 Kickstarter
Crowdfunding campaign:
- $1.7M+ funding raised
- Community support
- Pre-order campaign
- Development validation
2021 Commercial Release
Product launch:
- Limited Edition kits shipped
- Consumer availability
- Game library growing
- Platform expansion
Design Philosophy
Tabletop AR
Gaming focus:
- Board game enhancement
- Tabletop-specific design
- Shared experiences
- Social gaming
Retroreflective Projection
Unique technology:
- Gameboard required
- Retroreflective surface
- High brightness projection
- Wide field of view
Social Multiplayer
Shared experiences:
- Multiple glasses support
- Same table viewing
- Perspective-correct images
- Group gaming
Lightweight Design
Comfort priority:
- Weight: 95 grams
- One-third typical MR weight
- All-day comfort
- Glasses form factor
Display Technology
Pico Projectors
Projection system:
- Type: Dual pico projectors
- Resolution: 1280 × 720 per eye
- Technology: Projected RGB
- High brightness output
Retroreflective Gameboard
Projection surface:
- Special material coating
- Reflects light to source
- High efficiency return
- Crisp image quality
Field of View
Visual coverage:
- FOV: 110° diagonal
- Horizontal: ~96°
- Vertical: ~55°
- Industry-leading for AR
Light Efficiency
Optical performance:
- 85% lens efficiency
- Transparent viewing
- Bright holograms
- Clear real-world view
Tracking System
6DoF Glasses Tracking
Head tracking:
- DoF: 6 degrees of freedom
- Head position tracking
- Head orientation tracking
- Perspective-correct rendering
Gameboard Reference
Tracking anchor:
- Board as reference point
- Precise localization
- Stable holograms
- Accurate placement
Wand Controller
Input tracking:
- DoF: 6DoF controller
- Position tracking
- Orientation tracking
- Precise interaction
Camera System
Tracking hardware:
- Head-tracking camera
- Gameboard recognition
- Real-time positioning
- Low-latency tracking
Hardware Components
Glasses
AR eyewear:
- Lightweight design (95g)
- Dual pico projectors
- Tracking camera
- USB connection
Gameboard
Projection surface:
- Retroreflective material
- Standard game size
- XL size available
- Foldable design
Wand Controller
Input device:
- 6DoF tracking
- Button inputs
- Trigger control
- Bluetooth connection
Physical Design
Weight
Lightweight achievement:
- Weight: 95 grams
- Comfortable for extended use
- One-third of typical MR headsets
- Balanced design
Form Factor
Glasses design:
- Traditional eyewear style
- Over-glasses compatible
- Adjustable fit
- Ergonomic temples
Materials
Construction:
- Lightweight plastics
- Durable build
- Comfortable padding
- Quality finish
Connectivity
USB Connection
Glasses link:
- Wired to host device
- Power via USB
- Video via USB
- Low-latency connection
Host Compatibility
Supported platforms:
- Windows PC
- Android devices
- iOS devices
- Cross-platform support
Bluetooth Controller
Wireless input:
- Wand controller
- Bluetooth connection
- Compatible gamepads
- Easy pairing
Gaming Experience
Board Games
Traditional adaptations:
- Catan
- Pandemic
- King of Tokyo
- Classic game ports
Original Titles
Tilt Five games:
- HoloLems
- Marble It Up: Mayhem!
- 11 Table Tennis
- Growing library
Multiplayer Support
Social gaming:
- Multiple glasses per table
- Shared holographic view
- Perspective-correct rendering
- Group experiences
Cross-Platform
Device flexibility:
- PC games
- Mobile games
- Unified library
- Platform choice
Product Kits
Glasses Only
Basic option:
- Price: $299-$359
- Glasses unit
- USB cable
- Basic package
Limited Edition Kit
Complete package:
- Price: $359-$499
- Glasses
- Gameboard
- Wand controller
- Carrying case
XL Gameboard
Larger option:
- Expanded play area
- More players
- Bigger games
- Separate purchase
Comparison with AR Gaming Solutions
| Feature | Tilt Five | Quest 3 MR | Magic Leap 2 | HoloLens 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Tabletop AR | Passthrough MR | See-through AR | See-through AR |
| FOV | 110° | 110° (MR) | 70° | 52° |
| Resolution | 720p/eye | 2064×2208/eye | 1440×1760/eye | 1440×936/eye |
| Weight | 95g | 515g | 260g | 566g |
| Focus | Tabletop gaming | General VR/MR | Enterprise AR | Enterprise AR |
| Price | $299-$499 | $499 | $3,299 | $3,500 |
| Requires | Gameboard + host | Standalone | Standalone | Standalone |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 110° unprecedented AR field of view
- Ultra-lightweight (95g glasses)
- 720p per eye resolution
- 6DoF glasses + controller tracking
- Social multiplayer support
- Growing board game library
- Cross-platform (PC/Android/iOS)
- Affordable entry price ($299+)
- Unique retroreflective technology
Limitations
- Requires proprietary gameboard
- Tethered to host device (USB)
- Limited to tabletop applications
- No standalone operation
- Game library still developing
- Gameboard-restricted play area
- No audio built-in
- Single-purpose design
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual pico projectors |
| Resolution | 1280 × 720 per eye |
| FOV | 110° diagonal |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Tracking | 6DoF (glasses + controller) |
| Weight | 95g (glasses) |
| Connectivity | USB (wired), Bluetooth (controller) |
| Platform | Windows, Android, iOS |
| Requires | Retroreflective gameboard |
| Price | $299-$499 |