FreeTrack

FreeTrack was a free, open-source head-tracking application designed primarily for use in simulation and gaming. It utilized a standard webcam and a set of infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or a passive reflective target attached to the user's head or a headset to track head movements in real-time. This data was then translated into corresponding in-game movements, allowing for a more immersive and natural control experience.

The application analyzed the webcam's video feed, identified the position of the infrared markers (or reflective points), and calculated the user's head position and orientation in three-dimensional space. This information was then sent to the game as joystick or mouse input, effectively simulating head movement.

FreeTrack supported a wide variety of games and simulators that offered joystick or mouse input, including flight simulators, racing games, and first-person shooters. Users could configure the software to adjust sensitivity, smoothing, and other parameters to achieve optimal tracking performance for specific games and personal preferences.

While the original FreeTrack project is no longer actively maintained, it served as a foundation for subsequent head-tracking applications and inspired the development of similar open-source and commercial alternatives. The core principles of webcam-based head tracking pioneered by FreeTrack continue to be used in modern virtual reality and simulation applications. The relative ease of setup and low cost compared to dedicated head-tracking hardware made it a popular choice within the gaming and simulation community for many years.