The VR Crane Simulator Controller project was one of my first major explorations into combining physical hardware with virtual reality. The goal of the project was to create a more realistic crane training experience by building a custom physical controller that directly mapped to the controls of a virtual crane simulation.

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Throughout the project, I gained hands-on experience with hardware prototyping, Arduino programming, 3D printing, Unity development, and VR interaction design. By connecting a custom-built controller to a Unity VR environment, I was able to create a one-to-one interaction system where physical joystick and button inputs controlled crane rotation, trolley movement, and load lifting inside the simulation.

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Key Accomplishments:

Custom Controller Development: Designed and assembled a 3D-printed crane controller that mirrored the layout and function of real crane controls.

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Arduino Integration: Programmed Arduino-based joystick and button inputs to send real-time control data into Unity.

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VR Simulation Design: Built and refined the Unity VR crane interaction system, allowing users to control crane movement, trolley positioning, and lifting behavior in an immersive environment.

 

Hardware-to-Software Connection: Integrated physical controller inputs with the virtual crane through a responsive communication system, creating a stronger sense of realism and immersion.

 

User Experience and Calibration: Developed setup and calibration workflows to align the physical controller with the virtual crane experience and make the simulator easier for users to operate.

 

This project was a major step forward in my development as an XR creator. It showed me how physical prototyping, software development, and immersive design can come together to create practical training simulations. It also strengthened my interest in building interactive systems that connect real-world tools with virtual environments.