Virtual Space Travel

VR Space application

Traveling through the cosmos can now be a reality, using the VR Space app (for android phones) along with the Google Cardboard. This app is perfect for space lovers and people who love exploration and just want to get away.

To Download VR Space app Click Here

Travel the Cosmos

When using this app you instantly become incapsulated with euphoric music, which is super calming. You are immersed completely in space. All around is stars and planets. Staring at portals takes you to other galaxies which have even more to look at. In one of the galaxies, you can take down enemy ships by staring at them long enough, which deploys a missile and destroys them. The VR Space app is very interactive and a fun mix between playful and meditative.

XR Implementation and Supporting Technologies

This Virtual Reality app tracks rotational movement and implements the 3 Degrees of Freedom (3DOF). The app uses our phones built-in sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, ad magnetometers) to measure movement and respond in real-time. The 3 degrees are measured on a x, y, z axis; also known as Rolling (titling), Pitching (up and down), and Yawing (left to right). This app uses supporting technologies such as gyroscopes and motion sensors within the phone for tracking head movements.

For more on Degrees of Freedom Click Here

Strengths?

This app is pleasing to view; it is interactive, as well as entertaining. The vivid colors are so beautiful and eye catching. The viewing experience is enhanced by the music.

Improvements?

I did happen to experience a little bit of motion sickness and felt myself go cross-eyed many times. It was almost better if I closed one eye. I don’t think this has anything to do with the app, but most likely something to do with the google cardboard because I seem to have this issue with many different apps. I did have to completely turn my head multiple times to view everything which was a little jarring.

S.L.A.M (Simultaneous Location and Mapping)

Space AR uses 3 degrees of freedom (head movement), to accurately track objects in a fixed environement. This app does not use Simultaneous Location and Mapping S.L.A.M; which is the use of sensors in the device to help map out the unknown surrounding and physical environments (this relies not only on sensors in the device but GPS tracking as well). In Space VR, we experienced static or fixed positions of objects in the environment where we only had the capabilities of head movement to track objects; GPS was not used at all.