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Who are we?
The Huskiverse is a XR development and outreach group at Northern Illinois University. We are a group of students and faculty who are passionate about exploring the potential of XR technologies, and Developing XR experiences that can be used in various fields such as education, healthcare, and entertainment.
What is Extended Reality (XR)?
XR is the umbrella term for both Virtual reality(VR) and Augmented Reality(AR)
Our main project, Vespamode, is the highlight of our program. It is a virtual reality game that allows players to explore a virtual world by riding a motorized scooter, like a Vespa! Through our various projects, students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Unreal Engine 5 and Blender, while developing skills in 3D modeling, programming, and user experience design. We welcome students from all disciplines who are interested in shaping the future of XR technology. Join us for our weekly meetings and workshops to be part of this exciting field!
Outreach
One of our goals is to reach out to the community and help them understand the potential of XR. We accomplish
This by hosting events and workshops that allow people to experience XR first hand. In the coming months
we will be working on a number of projects that will be open to students, so stay tuned for more information.
Development
From the Bridge of our starship located within the 71North Partnership studio, the HuskieLab will be developing cutting edge VR and AR experiences for use on various platforms.
With Video Game design and Gamification being rapidly growing and in-demand fields, we here in the huskieverse are trying to foster a community of developers and designers who are passionate about creating interactive experiences though platforms such as
Spatial.io and
Liminal VR. that both utilize
Unity.
And for the Meta Quest Headsets we are developing Vespa-Mode with Unreal Engine 5.
We hope to partner with other departments in the future to bring more XR experiences to the campus.
Vespa mode
Vespa mode aims to create both a vespa simulation and a physical vespa rig that can be used in conjunction with a VR headset to simulate the experience of riding a vespa.
Interdisciplinary Project
This project started as a collaboration between the Computer Science Department and the Office of innovation, With Students from Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Time arts departments working together to create a unique experience that combines both physical and virtual elements.
Real Hardwhere
Real Students
Real World Tools
Real world Applications
Goals
The goal of the project is to create a vespa simulation that can be used in conjunction with a physical vespa rig to simulate the experience of riding a vespa. The project aims to create a unique experience that combines both physical and virtual elements, allowing users to experience the thrill of riding a vespa without leaving their home. And by physically simulating the motions of the vespa, the project aims to create a more immersive experience that can be used for both entertainment and educational purposes.
Impact
This project has already had a significant impact on the students involved, as it has allowed them to work on a real-world project that combines both physical and virtual elements. The project has also allowed students to gain valuable experience in working with VR technology and creating realistic simulations. Additionally, the project has the potential to be used for both entertainment and educational purposes, allowing users to experience the thrill of riding a vespa without leaving their home.
Results
The project has resulted in a working prototype of the vespa simulation, which can be used in conjunction with a physical vespa rig. The project has also resulted in a number of technical challenges being overcome, such as creating a realistic simulation of the vespa's physics and creating a user interface that is easy to use.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Vespa mode project, OR owuld like to get involved. Please feel free to reach out to us. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have and provide more information about the project.
Huskiverse - FAQ
For Events, Should I bring my own a headset?
No! We provide a headset upon arrival.
Do I need to pay to attend an event?
Not at all! All of our events are free to attend for current Stuents on NIU.
Can I Get Involved?
If you or someone you know is interested in Virtual or Augmented Reality, or would like to help out with projects we have going on, drop us a line at 71North@niu.edu
Join our Discord for the latest updates and to chat with the team.