VR Gamepad

A rectangular controller is visible from the side. It is tilted due to a support located below the back of the controller, and features a black component with the text "VIVE" attached to the back right.

Publication link: https://doi.org/10.5445/IR/1000190071 


Description:

The VR Gamepad was designed for a powered wheelchair user with limited range of motion who wished to interact with Virtual Reality using a bespoke button layout. The VR Gamepad has 13 buttons and three joysticks and can be motion-tracked with an HTC Vive Ultimate Tracker.

Design Approach:

We engaged in a Research through Design approach, in which we co-designed the VR gamepad with a powered wheelchair user with limited range of motion. Our work was structured into distinct phases: At the start, we got acquainted and discussed requirements and ideas for bespoke VR control (ideation phase). Next, we engaged in multiple development cycles in which we built and implemented hardware and software artifacts in our lab (implementation phase), and then met to gather feedback (feedback phase). At the end, we discussed and reflected on the overall process and how the bespoke VR Glove Controller could be adapted for more general use.

Implications for VR Experience:

The VR Gamepad enables interactions with virtual worlds without requiring extensive body movements, mimicking everyday interactions. This not only provides access to VR itself but also reduces friction to support immersion and presence.

Gallery:

 

A rectangular controller is visible from the side. It is tilted due to a support located below the back of the controller, and features a black component with the text "VIVE" attached to the back right.  

Three cylinders of different heights and colors stand next to each other. They range from small to and are pink-blue, white, and black.

A cylinder with a threaded inside is lying next to the threaded adapter on top of a black controller. A man wearing a VR headset sits in front of a screen and has his hands on a black controller. The screen shows the driver's view during a car race.  

Tech Sheet 
  • 1 x 3D-Printer (Filament: PLA) 
  • 1 x Soldering Iron and Cables 
  • 1 x Microcontroller: Arduino Nano ESP32 
  • 1 x Power Supply: Adafruit PowerBoost 500 Charger with 3.7 V Lithium-Ion Battery 
  • 1 x On-Off Switch  
  • 1 x Blue LED 
  • 3 x Joystick: KY-023 Joystick module 
  • 13 x Button: Cherry MX2A-81NN 
  • 7 x Threaded M4 insert and M4 screw 
  • 1 x HTC Vive Ultimate Tracker  
  • 1 x Threaded 1/4" insert and 1/4” to 3/8” adapter 

3D-printing files and hardware schematics are available upon reasonable request via mailto:accessvr∂iar.kit.edu.