VR Lab Equipment and Resources

The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support cutting-edge research and development in immersive technologies. Our comprehensive range of tools and resources enables innovative experiments and applications in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR), human-computer interaction, and cognitive science. Our lab is designed to accommodate diverse experimental setups, from small-scale studies to large collaborative projects.

The different rooms can be configured to meet the specific needs of researchers and developers.

Main lab: Reconfigurable with desks and meeting space.

Lab

Motion lab: Large-scale motion capture, including walking, treadmill, and stationary biking.

Lab

Camera lab: Markerless audiovisual capture.

Lab

Headsets

Our lab has a variety of headsets to meet diverse research and development needs. Headsets are available for research projects, student training, collaborative activities, and teaching.

  • Apple Vision Pro: Mixed reality headset with high-resolution displays, stereo pass-through, eye and hand tracking.
  • Magic Leap: Magic Leap 1 & 2 are advanced AR devices (see-through) designed for spatial computing and collaborative AR applications.
  • Microsoft HoloLens 2: Standalone or wireless tethered AR headset (see-through) for holographic experiences.
  • ThinkReality Lenovo A3: Lightweight AR glasses (see-through) for enterprise applications.
  • Oculus/Facebook/Meta:
    • Meta Quest Pro: High-resolution standalone VR headset with eye tracking, hand tracking, and color passthrough cameras.
    • Meta Quest 1, 2, 3: Standalone (or tethered) VR headsets for a wide range of applications with hand tracking and passthrough cameras.
  • Pico Pro: Lightweight, standalone VR headset with a good passthrough color camera.
  • HTC Vive:
    • HTC Vive Pro
    • HTC Vive Pro Eye

Legacy headsets

We have a variety of legacy headsets including:

  • Oculus Rift/S
  • Oculus Go
  • Oculus DK1/DK2
  • Meta 2 AR glasses
  • Google Glass
  • Google Cardboar VR
  • IIS VFX3D

Motion Capture and Tracking Systems

  • Qualisys Optical Motion Capture: High-precision marker-based motion capture system (Oqus and Arqus). Provides sub-millimetre 3D tracking of body, hands, and objects, with real-time streaming to experimental software and XR engines.

  • Vicon Motion Capture: Optical infrared motion capture system enabling accurate full-body and object tracking for avatar animation, biomechanics, and validation of XR interaction experiments.

  • Qualisys Markerless Motion Capture: Multi-camera markerless tracking system that reconstructs full-body skeletal motion without reflective markers, allowing natural movement capture in behavioural and XR interaction experiments.

  • Microsoft Kinect (RGB-D Tracking): Depth-sensing cameras for markerless body and skeleton tracking, used for rapid prototyping, gesture interaction studies, and low-cost motion capture applications.

  • Tracking Gloves: High-accuracy wearable gloves for capturing fine finger articulation and detailed hand gestures during interaction tasks.

  • Leap Motion / Ultraleap: Compact optical hand-tracking devices for markerless tracking of hands and fingers in VR/AR applications.

  • Lidar Sensors: Intel Realsense devices for spatial mapping and environmental reconstruction, supporting mixed-reality interaction and AR scene integration.

  • Polhemus Fastrak: Electromagnetic tracking system for real-time 6-DOF position and orientation tracking of sensors. Suitable for precise tracking of head, hand, or object motion in VR and psychophysics experiments without requiring optical line of sight.

Audiovideo Recording and Presentation Equipment

  • Video Recording Setup: Professional-grade equipment, including black/white/green backdrops, stage lights, and contact microphones.
  • Audiocards: A variety of multichannel audiocards for sound research.
  • 10 High-Quality Speakers: Configurable for immersive audio experiences and spatial sound research.
  • Cambridge Research Display++: Specialized screens for experiments requiring precise visual presentation.

Haptic Devices

  • Ultraleap: Touchless haptic feedback for interactive VR experiences.
  • ForceDimension Delta 3: High-performance force feedback for advanced interaction.
  • Phantom Devices: Including Phantom Desktop, Phantom Omni, and Phantom Premium, offering detailed force feedback for tactile exploration and manipulation.
  • Force Feedback Gaming Interfaces: Including driving wheels and joysticks.
  • Pneumatic Interfaces: Pumps and valves for pressure and vacuum applications.
  • Tactile Wearables: A variety of tactile and skin-stretch devices.

EEG/BCI Sensors

  • Emotive Headsets: Brain-computer interface (BCI) devices for recording EEG signals.
  • Shimmer Wearable Sensors: Wireless wearable sensing platform for motion and physiological measurement (IMU, EMG, ECG, GSR). Used for recording body movement, muscle activity, and physiological responses during VR and human–computer interaction experiments.
  • Tobii 5: State-of-the-art device for high-accuracy gaze tracking.
  • Physiological Sensors: Comprehensive tools for monitoring biometric data, enabling studies of human responses in immersive environments.

3D Printing Resources

Workshop

The lab has a workshop with 3D printing facilities to support prototyping, experimentation, and development of physical models and devices. Our printers are categorized into FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and Resin (SLA/DLP) printing technologies to meet a wide range of needs.

FDM Printers (Fused Deposition Modeling)

FDM printers are ideal for creating functional prototypes with different materials and large models.

  • Creality CR-10
  • Creality CR-10S
  • Flashforge Creator PRO2

Resin Printers (SLA/DLP)

Resin printers are perfect for producing high-detail models with smooth finishes.

  • Anycubic Photon S (2)
  • Peopoly Phenom