If you're a gamer, you probably can't wait for get your hands on the Oculus Rift. But in the meantime, you can make your virtual reality dreams come true by picking up one of the many DYI cardboard VR kits that can be used with your smartphone.
Even though VR viewers allow gamers to get inside and see a virtual world, they still can't physically touch anything. One company is attempting to solve this problem by making a controller that gamers can use with their cardboard VR viewer — and it's also made from cardboard.
Co-founders Fangwei Lee and Shuo Zhang from Realiteer created a Kickstarter campaign for their cardboard VR controller called RealTrigger, which allows gamers to print, cut and assemble the VR accessory so they can enjoy a fully immersive virtual reality experience.
The inspiration behind the RealTrigger came from Lee's young son, who easily broke toy bubble guns when playing.
Deciding to make his own, Lee, a former animation and special effects artist at DreamWorks Studios, designed an optical tracking pattern - which looks an awful lot like the Ink Blot Test - to place on diaper boxes to make a handheld controller. Then, using a smartphone with image recognition software, a cardboard VR viewer and the RealTrigger, his son could shoot all the bubbles his heart desired in virtual reality, without breaking the toy or making a mess.
RealTrigger allows gamers to walk, click, shoot and grab in VR, and is compatible with all VR headsets that are currently on the market. It's wireless, nonelectrical, portable and affordable.
The company has developed its first game called RealGermBuster that allows the user to blast bubbles at germs, making it a fun learning tool for kids and people of all ages.
Realiteer is also developing RealTrigger 2.0, which is the flagship VR controller with added features. The most noteworthy feature is the trigger, which enhances the gamer's experience. The RealTrigger 2.0 is made from recycled and biodegradable plastic, so it's kind to the environment as well as your bank account.
Gamers can try the basic version after donating $10 to Realiteer's Kickstarter project, while $20 will get them the RealTrigger 2.0. The company has earned almost $2,000 toward its $30,000 goal on Kickstarter. The campaign runs until late June.
Check out some other cardboard smartphone accessories in our video below.
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Photo: Realiteer | YouTube
