Jetpack VR
One of IXL’s goals was to explore new interaction methods within immersive environments such as VR and AR. Seeking new forms of haptic feedback and ways to navigate in VR that don’t break immersion, we explored various interaction models whereby the user navigates by pulling on retractable cords to affect their speed, pitch, roll and yaw within the virtual space. After several experiments, we found that many of the interaction models we had thought up caused dizziness or disorientation, and through experimentation we settled on an interaction model whereby the direction of travel is determined by the direction of gaze, forward and backward travel are controlled by leaning forward or backward, and the speed is determined by how far one pulls the controllers forward. As speeds increase, the periphery is faded out to decrease motion sickness.
Why it matters: Teleportation is a common form of navigation in VR, but tends to break immersion. New forms of navigation and haptics lead to a more immersive experience.
Contributions: Concept design, storyboarding, hardware prototyping, testing, patent applications.
Team: Eric Faggin, Sarthak Ghosh, Mithra Vankipuram.
Jetpack Harness This harness allows the user to be tracked and to navigate in VR. The prototype includes retractable lanyards attached to the VR controllers, a VR tracker on the back, as well as holsters for the controllers if the user decides to disengage them from the lanyards.
Lanyard Holder These lanyard holders were designed to fit onto the front straps and to support a retractable lanyard and allow them to move up and down. A set of bearings between the casing made the motion smooth. They were 3D printed on an HP Multi Jet Fusion printer. The lanyards gave a tactile feel to the throttle.
Tracker Holder This part was designed to hold the VR tracker which both situates the user in the VR environment, and is used to determine forward or backward motion. It was designed to affix to the strap on the back of the harness and be smooth and lightweight so as to be unnoticeable by the user.
Controller Sleeve Top The sleeves were designed to slip over the HTC vive controller. On the top the sleeve has a ring to allow it to be clipped to the lanyard.
Controller Sleeve Bottom The bottom of the sleeve has a cutout to allow the controller strap to pass through.
Testing out an early jetpack prototype.