Ghost in the Machine

In the realm of Extended Reality (XR), the fusion of software and hardware holds utmost importance. Lagos stands as a vibrant center teeming with creative minds, fostering the development of remarkable software and immersive experiences.

However, I perceive an untapped treasure trove lying within hardware innovation. The potential of software and algorithms remains limited without concurrent advancements in hardware. Picture the endless possibilities: tactile feedback delivering virtual sensations, precise tracking of entire body movements, integration of heartbeat sensors in gaming for heightened realism, and real-world inputs shaping virtual domains.

Recently, I delved into the captivating concept of "ghosts existing as entities from an invisible extra-dimension," capable of influencing activities in another dimension. Envision a VR world as a distinct dimension, secluded from our known reality yet consistently shaped by "external" forces. Here, the VR encounter is controlled by entities beyond the user's sphere. Intrigued by the creations of Versaphile, I couldn't resist sampling one of their artworks.

This experiment serves as an initial proof of concept, aiming to establish a workflow that connects microcontrollers, such as Arduino, to Unity. In this setup, an ultrasonic sensor linked to an Arduino drives interactions within the VR world by detecting distances. A special acknowledgment to Ugochukwu Nwankiti for their assistance during the Arduino setup challenges, and to Imisi3D for providing their Arduino kit for this endeavor.