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wildermuthn
Up and Coming
June 12, 2013

Steal this idea: VR Wand

A real wand. Like Harry Potter. You know, a short thin stick.

A wand is better than hand-gestures because it has a more precise point and position. A wand is light. A wand can vibrate to simulate tapping-contact in the VR world. A wand can also have a small button at the base, allowing activation.

Entire VR GUIs can be built around a wands tracing paths in space. To open a door, activate the wand and swipe left. To unlock a door, trace circle-pattern on the doorknob. Sky is the limit.

VR is a magic-like simulation of reality. A wand capitalizes upon the essential god-like powers we have over our VR world.

If someone isn't already working on this, please do steal this idea.

    24 replies

    Madaras
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    I would accept a wand only in a game where I am a conductor of a band. I'm sure there are many out there who like wands, especially with the Harry Potter fan base, however I can't imagine the majority of people would feel comfortable using it in every game, whereas everyone is comfortable using their hands.
    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    "Madaras" wrote:
    I would accept a wand only in a game where I am a conductor of a band. I'm sure there are many out there who like wands, especially with the Harry Potter fan base, however I can't imagine the majority of people would feel comfortable using it in every game, whereas everyone is comfortable using their hands.

    And a BFG is more "manly" than a pointy stick!
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    Madaras
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    "geekmaster" wrote:

    And a BFG is more "manly" than a pointy stick!


    Absolutely true! :lol:
    Peejle
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    Any 6DOF input device can become any object in the rift. A wand, a sword, a gun, etc.
    Are you referring to the grip?
    The Hydra is tapered and if you hold that part between thumb and forefinger...

    A la peanut butter sandwiches! ;)

    Peejle
    wildermuthnAuthor
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    The in-game appearance of whatever you are using does not have to look like a wand.

    The wand is just an abstraction that is light and precise. VR needs the equivalent of a desktop mouse, something that Grandma can use. Essentially, a wand would be an ultra-light ultra-thin ultra-precise wireless Hydra.
    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    "wildermuthn" wrote:
    The in-game appearance of whatever you are using does not have to look like a wand.

    The wand is just an abstraction that is light and precise. VR needs the equivalent of a desktop mouse, something that Grandma can use. Essentially, a wand would be an ultra-light ultra-thin ultra-precise wireless Hydra.

    You could stick your Hydra controller onto a chopstick, and then you would have your (not so ultra-light) magic wand.

    Or, you could just use a "wireless" chopstick (with a Leap Motion controller), and be done with it:




    But if you prefer a Hydra-like ultra-thin wand controller, good luck getting those joysticks and buttons into your chopstick. ;)

    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    Roziotti
    Participant
    June 12, 2013
    Think of Nintendo Nunchuk. You put it into the case the desired shape and get a steering wheel, sword, machine gun, whatever. The wand has the same option.
    Imagine a future where we can print the case necessary to us with a 3D-printer. And just insert the universal controller.
    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    June 12, 2013
    "Roziotti" wrote:
    Think of Nintendo Nunchuk. You put it into the case the desired shape and get a steering wheel, sword, machine gun, whatever. The wand has the same option.
    Imagine a future where we can print the case necessary to us with a 3D-printer. And just insert the universal controller.

    Okay, a "fat-handled" wand then, eh? Sort of a hybrid magic wand and mini light saber, perhaps? :D

    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    Ausinspiration
    Up and Coming
    June 18, 2013
    I mentioned this idea on another forum and someone suggested hacking a TV remote wand for the purpose:
    http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/cf9b/
    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    June 18, 2013
    "Ausinspiration" wrote:
    I mentioned this idea on another forum and someone suggested hacking a TV remote wand for the purpose:
    http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/cf9b/

    That is a "magic wand" shaped infrared TV remote. It could be difficult to aim it at an IR receiver while wearing a Rift HMD. I like the mini light sabers better. They light up, so they could be used for optical tracking like a PS Move controller. ;)
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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