Following the original Yaw motion simulator chair in 2018, which garnered Yaw VR over $200,000 on Kickstarter funding, Yaw VR returned to the crowdfunding platform to bring Yaw2 to life, a less compact, but decidedly more advanced motion simulator chair. The startup’s latest campaign is now over, and it’s garnered over $2.7 million backers eagerly awaiting the consumer-focused motion chair.

Update (June 8th, 2021): In the week since we last reported, Yaw2 has seen a substantial surge in backers, bringing its overall funds to over $2.7 million.  Surprisingly, over $200,000 was pledged in the last few hours of that campaign, or around the total amount attracted in the entirety of its 2018 campaign.

Yaw VR has yet to announce direct pre-orders, which will be available at some point via its website.


Update (June 1st, 2021): Yaw2 just got over the $2 million mark today, which unlocks the campaign’s highest-projected stretch goal. Now, backers will get side support rails with their Yaw2 chairs, which will allow users to mount handbrakes, gear shifters or other accessories.

Two weeks ago the project was at $1.5 million, so there’s no telling how much higher it can go in the remaining time. The campaign comes to an official close on June 7th, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for further stretch goals.

Original Article (May 5th, 2021): Yaw2 is being billed as a ‘consumer-grade’ motion simulator, and that isn’t such a big stretch on the lower end of the cheapest remaining funding tier, which costs $1,090. That tier doesn’t include the actual chair bit, or modular ‘yaw platform’ which lets you swivel 360 degrees though. Still, the hardware platform seems to have struck a chord with simulator diehards, prosumers and arcades alike when it launched late last month on Kickstarter. At that time, that model was offered as cheap as $790.

Now Yaw2 has already exploded past the initial funding goal of $100,000, having broken the $1 million mark in the first week since its April 23rd launch. It’s not showing any signs of stopping either. Yaw2 has garnered nearly $1,150,000 with a little over a month left to go before the campaign’s close.

In comparison to the original 2018 version, which features 3DOF motion and a pretty compact seat that fits snuggly inside a spherical dome, Yaw2 seems to be a much more conventional motion platform thanks to its larger footprint, adjustable desk, and ability to integrate your own chair.

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If you want the most basic version of Yaw2 with 3DOF movement, which includes a modular ‘yaw platform’ for 360-degree swiveling, you’ll need to pony up $2,020 $1,470, which decidedly puts it right on the edge of the consumer category. That too doesn’t come with the seat portion itself, which you can either add yourself, or buy direct from Yaw VR for an additional $75 – $100 depending on how quick you are with your wallet.

Image courtesy Yaw VR

The company says Yaw2 is compatible with all major VR headsets, including Oculus Quest, PSVR, and SteamVR-compatible headsets. Although many game engines offer motion simulator support, the game itself should have support baked in. Yaw VR is boasting many games with native motion simulator support, some of which include Elite Dangerous, Dirt Rally 2.0, Project Cars 2, MS Flight Simulator, and Fly Inside to name a few.

All versions are slated to ship in September 2021, which also includes both pro and arcade versions with higher wattage output and stronger motors. Check out the Yaw2 Kickstarter for the full technical specs.

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Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • DjArcas

    So more expensive and less good than a DOF Reality which you can already buy?

    • KydDynoMyte

      Less good? It has quite a bit more travel than dof reality on all 3 axes I believe.

      • duked

        I wouldn’t say Yaw VR is worse than DOF Reality in every way. But the latter can accomodate steering wheels etc. without problems and has support for SRS Power Wind. I have the first Yaw VR, but still haven’t unboxed it, due to this. Collecting dust, although it probably is rather good.

        • Sakke

          The Yaw could already fit a steering wheel and pedals, altough they couldn’t be heavy. The Yaw2 also shows it can add steering wheel, pedals and hotas.
          If you get the pro version, you get power and usb passtrough, so you can do full rotation with the powered wheel (and no cables in the way).
          Since the SRS Power Wind just uses a USB port; this should also work.

          • duked

            Yeah, unfortunately any wheels + pedals needed to be very light. The second version seem to handle wheels better. Yes, if GoPro mounts fit, SRS Power Wind should work.
            Do you know how much the second version will weigh?

    • Sam

      The seat mover of DOF isn’t comparably; it barely moves and the wheel doesn’t move at all.
      However it can be compared with the different versions of DOF reality’s “Consumer Motion simulator platform”.
      Yaw2 has 3DOF for 1470$. For the same price ($1429) you get 2DOF with DOF Reality, while the 3DOF version is $2139.
      The DOF Reality does have a 6DOF version (at $4619), which can’t be said for Yaw.

      You say it’s “less good”.
      We will have to wait for reviews to make this one out; the Yaw has more travel, however it probably has its issues.

      • DjArcas

        I mean, I’ve got a H3. I wouldn’t touch this Yaw shit with a bargepole.

        • stevetb777

          H3 is just under $3,000 right now shipped to US. Higher price point.

        • Mrfox Babbit

          Ah I see, because you chose to buy the H3…its the best….over something that hasnt even hit the market yet? Right got it. Preposterous ‘console kid’ mentality.

          Im going to go out on a limb here and guess that the h3 will be proven to be “less good” than the Yaw2.

    • Andrew Jakobs

      I just looked at the DOF Reality site and those are in the same pricerange (at least for the kickstarter price), but looking more like a DIY solution.
      Hell, even the most expensive DOF reality doesn’t do 360 degree, only 20 degree each direction.
      Yeah, you’re right compared to the first YAW VR, but not this new one.

      • DjArcas

        Nothing DIY. You supply your own seat and the rest is just whatever peripherals you want.

        • Andrew Jakobs

          As I said, it looks more like a DIY setup to me with all the open motors (which ofcourse is not the safest thing to have).
          BUT let me guess, you have one.

  • xyzs

    What was cool with their first product was that it was so compact. Now it’s huge.
    What would had been cool is the first product but with some extra 3dof (the translate) under the base.
    But cool that they offer different experience too.

  • Shy Guy

    Amusing that they call it the Yaw2 but the yaw axis is an optional extra.

  • johnny

    Come join our official YAW VR community discord right here:
    discord.gg/7TFV4Cn

  • What’s the weight limits and long-term reliability? I’ve only seen little, girly men using it for a few minutes at a time. Not too sure 100 pound men are going to give us a good picture of it’s reliability over lifespan.

    • Shy Guy

      They don’t give a lot of detail. Their Kickstarter says:
      Max load weight: 287 lbs (130 kg)
      But the max weight doesn’t increase for the more powerful motor option.
      I assume the load weight includes the chair and other stuff, so the max person weight will be less.

  • I wasn’t expecting such a prosumer product to become this successful… but compliments YawVR for the result!

  • Nr4ge

    nice :) But motion cancellation ?

  • Salbrox

    No mention of motion cancellation worries me.

    • Salbrox

      Not to worry they actually mention motiopn compensation on the kickstarter page. Fairly far down the page tho.

      In our Game Engine, you can install the motion compensation software with a click. Afterwards, select the Yaw2 device as your controller in the Steam VR software. And you are ready to go. Please note, the solution does not work perfectly with all headsets, but we are working on it to ensure full compatibility in as many cases as possible.

  • Ender772

    this..cant be true…no one wants reject chairs from mall rollercoaster games from the early 1990s