Teaching virtual reality with HTC vive and leap motion

PubDate: November 2017

Teams: Vienna University of Technology

Writers: Khrystyna Vasylevska;Iana Podkosova;Hannes Kaufmann

PDF: Teaching virtual reality with HTC vive and leap motion

Abstract

Creating high quality virtual reality (VR) experience takes time and requires extensive practice. Although, multiple virtual and augmented reality courses existed for years all over the world, high costs of the equipment were always in the way of building up the up to date knowledge. Rapid development of the technology caused the new VR boom and exposed a serious lack of the experienced VR/AR developers.

In this paper, we present our introductory VR courses for master students. The aim of the courses is to provide introduction to the basics of VR and AR and supporting technology. We move the teaching focus from the specifics of a particular VR system to the skill build-up and development of the VR user experience. For that we provide the access to the up to date consumer hardware, such as HTC Vive and Leap Motion. We discuss the structure of the courses and methodology, and provide the teaching materials. Moreover, we discuss in details our updated practical course that unites the development of a low-cost desktop and a high-quality immersive VR applications using only off-the-shelf consumer equipment. Furthermore, we discuss the overall course evaluation by the students and further opportunities for their professional growth, as well as consecutive changes that will be made next.