Recently, I’ve been working extensively with augmented and virtual reality headsets, including the HTC Vive Pro, Valve Index, Oculus Quest 2, and Hololens 2, to develop various prototypes for my team at D-Ford. Most of my AR/VR development is done in Unity, with Enklu serving as a great tool for creating quick AR concepts. I’ve found Enklu to be especially effective when paired with the Hololens 2. Prototyping with AR/VR has added a new level of immersion to user experiences.
I’ve been exploring various software tools to quickly mock up interactive stories and immerse users. For both research and ideation, these tools have proven invaluable. Recently, I worked on projects that combined cardboard mockups with augmented reality headsets to create in-vehicle experiences. Through these setups, I showcased the exciting possibilities that future technologies could bring to life.
The cardboard primarily acts as occlusion surfaces for augmented reality scans, making it possible to set up a virtual HUD display on the dashboard. These surfaces enhance the experience by integrating a virtual cockpit overlay onto the physical BUC, boosting immersion. I often design AR/VR scenarios to illustrate concepts, tell stories, and reveal new questions that might not emerge during initial ideation.
AR/VR Experiences For Real-World Applications
The following videos highlight several prototypes I developed to explore dynamic HUD interface concepts. I created these quick prototypes in just 1–2 days to spark new ideas. Along the way, they helped identify potential gaps in the brainstorming process.
AR and VR provide a powerful sense of immersion that enhances the prototyping process, offering a significant advantage over traditional manual or physical methods that often require frequent adjustments. While AR and VR prototyping may not address every challenge, it excels at quickly uncovering solutions and raising unforeseen questions. The following is a two-day augmented reality interface prototype designed to assist delivery drivers in efficiently managing package deliveries using AR headsets.
Virtual Reality Prototypes
I’ve also been exploring the process of prototyping VR experiences using Unity. It’s exciting to create immersive environments with colliders that trigger animations within the scenes. I particularly enjoy crafting quick prototypes in 3D environments, where the only limit is your imagination.
