Virtual Reality Technologies: Development and Application

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles and technologies underpinning Virtual Reality systems.
• Identify and differentiate between key VR hardware and software components.
• Develop practical skills in designing, building, and customising immersive virtual environments.
• Apply creative and technical approaches to solve real-world problems using VR.
• Evaluate the potential applications and limitations of Virtual Reality across different fields.
• Work collaboratively on VR projects, from conceptualisation to implementation and testing.
• Gain the confidence to pursue further learning or professional development in the area of immersive technologies.

Schedule

Module 1: Foundations and Inspirations in Virtual Reality

• Key concepts: VR, AR, MR – similarities, differences, and terminology
• Evolution of VR and its impact across sectors
• Demonstration of VR hardware (headsets, controllers, tracking systems)
• Showcase of notable Unity-based VR projects and experiences

Module 2: Unity Essentials for VR

• Introduction to the Unity interface and workspace
• Project setup: organising folders, importing standard assets
• Scene construction: adding and positioning 3D objects, prefabs, basic lighting
• Asset management: importing 3D models, textures, and audio files into Unity

Module 3: Building Interactive Virtual Environments

• Setting up a VR project in Unity (XR Interaction Toolkit or similar)
• Configuring VR device support and player controllers
• Designing immersive scenes: spatial layout, lighting, soundscapes
• Adding interactive elements: grab, throw, press, trigger simple animations

Module 4: User Experience and Interaction Design in Unity

• Best practices for VR user experience (UX) and user interface (UI)
• Implementing intuitive navigation and locomotion (teleport, walk, interact)
• Handling user input from VR controllers
• Comfort and accessibility: motion sickness prevention, inclusive design

Module 5: Collaborative Mini-Project: Prototyping in Unity

• Group or individual ideation: defining a simple VR experience (e.g., virtual exhibition, training simulation, storytelling)
• Scene building: environment design, interaction coding, testing
• Implementing basic C# scripts for interactivity (e.g., open doors, collect objects, trigger events)
• Iterative development: prototyping, peer feedback, refinement

Module 6: Trends, Ethics and Professional Practice in VR

• Latest Unity features for VR and XR integration
• Cross-platform development considerations
• Ethics and safety: user privacy, accessibility, responsible content
• Professional pathways: building a portfolio, self-learning, industry standards

Module 7: Final Showcase and Reflection

• Presentation and demonstration of Unity VR mini-projects
• Group feedback and discussion of lessons learned
• Personal reflection, future learning, and resources for advancing in Unity VR