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19. Invention, intellectual property and income

The original idea was to build a gaming controller for a Virtual Reality (VR) application. Currently, the controller works with Unity’s input system. A scene was designed. However, it is not immersive.

Concept Idea

Original Plan and sketches

design-sketch

Refer to Project Plan and Project Research.

design-models

  • Compact, handheld and easy to use
  • Ergonomic design
  • 6 DOF tracking
  • Untethered/wireless
  • Input buttons on the controller (e.g., x and y), which are manipulated by thumb.
  • A trigger manipulated by the index finger (e.g., shooting games)
  • Haptic feedback
  • Ability to between distinguish gripping and an open hand
  • ?? Ability to distinguish pinch (Thumb + Index fingers)

The following slide shows the outcome that satisfies FabAcademy’s final project requirements.

presentation

See Unity Controller Project for detailed information.

Demo Video

License

For the software parts Apache License, Version 2.0 is chosen (https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0).

apache

For the rest, (controller design models) Valve Corporation (“Valve”) has released the digital plans and drawings distributed under the Creative Commons; Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike 4.0, which is kept to be the same.

Creative Commons; Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike 4.0 International license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/).

creativecommons

Background

The idea of the project is to to develop a state-of-art digital environment for VR rehabilitation at home through a virtual gaming space that will provide proper stimulation and friendly competition. The treatment will concentrate on motor skills of the upper body (an arm, hand and finger movements). The VR environment will be customized through adaptive controllers and shaped individually for each user according to their condition. It will be a great step forward for European interactive technology in improving physical health and performance. See https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/856998

cordis

How does the controller fits inside project goals?

The project is still in early stages, the controller is meant to be developed further as a part of an EU project. For now, the whole purpose of the controller is experimental. It is used as part of learning process, rather than an actual product. Fab Academy has helped in exploring the development of the controller within a Fablab environment.

How is controller, built in Fab Academy, is going to be exploited?

Again, the product is only used as a learning process. The whole thing will be re-designed to fit the final product to be utilized by the EU project. However, it was extremely helpful to learn more about the options for prototyping the electronics’ boards and potential housing solutions for a VR controller.

Which will be the next steps?

The next step would be to incorporate VR tracking, and customizing to be more suitable for rehabilitation purposes.

Is there any possibility of making a business out of this project in the future?

There are companies that are willing to make use of the controller as a commercial product in the future. License will be changed accordingly.