Abstract:
VR Tactile is a haptic digital environment that combines physical architecture with digital architecture, utilizing a 4m by 4m physical installation and interactive technologies. It is a group project consisting of three students, investigating physical construction, digital expansion and intelligent interaction that collectively form the overall project. The final prototype presented at the AR/VR Garage gave users a first-hand experience into the hybrid environment. The project is under the research stream of arc/sec lab for digital spatial operations at the University of Auckland. The research topic for VR Tactile project is in alignment with the global investigation on tangible data, the aim to move digital information beyond the 2D screens and present it as a tactile virtual experience in the physical world. The project was developed at the AR/VR Garage - New Zealand’s leading innovation hub for AR/VR technology. The team made use of currently available technology – virtual reality headset, tracking system, Unity live rendering program, and a physical installation, to provides the user with a multisensory interactive experience. This thesis investigates the physical aspect of haptic digital architecture, exploring new construction principles specifically for VR Tactile environment, tested through prototypes and iterative process. The outcome is determined by technical limitations, current available material and time, function and structural requirements.
