The design and implementation of a VR gun controller

Virtual Reality (VR) is a rapidly growing industry that is expanding towards creating new innovative experiences. Haptics plays a large role in virtual reality as it enhances player immersion, making the virtual world almost indistinguishable from the real. There exists a plethora of haptic controllers on the market today, each attempting to bridge the gap between the two worlds. Some haptic controllers require users to remain stationary, having leverage to exert a force. In this Thesis, the design’s primary focus is to provide tether-less, realistic haptic feedback in conjunction with the HTC Vive, by using a haptic firing system, emulating gun recoil. The design works together with the HTC Vive tracker to send data to the system, allowing the player to move freely.Furthermore, an STM32 microcontroller is used to manage several GPIO pins and to send packets of data to map and emulate an HTC Vive controller. The Vive tracker sends the data to the player’s head mounted display, updating the gaming environment in real time. The haptic system, driven by a gear train and a weighted spring shaft fires, simulating gun recoil for the player. The designed VR gun controller provides users with a simplistic, yet effective design, unlike overpriced gun controllers available on the market, that provide a similar experience.M.S.Includes bibliographical reference