Introduction to Virtual Reality at Boise State University
Boise State University students now have a novel opportunity to work in the sector of virtual reality (VR). The university’s Department of Computer Science was recently awarded 10 virtual reality headsets designed by Oculus VR and was asked to hitch the Oculus NextGen VR Research University program. This program is an academic virtual reality initiative with select partner universities across the nation.
What the Program Entails
The Oculus NextGen research program goals to assist universities develop their virtual reality education schemes and use virtual reality in novel ways. For instance, virtual reality will be used as architectural aids or for profession training. As a partner university, Boise State receives educational support from Oculus and participation within the Oculus NextGen Workshop. The university intends to make use of the VR headsets for architectural, immersive experiments, art, and the rest students can consider to check out.
Getting Involved
Steve Cutchin, associate professor of computer science and director of research computing, is actively recruiting students thinking about the sector of virtual reality to assist develop Boise State’s program. Cutchin is in search of students with some experience in programming or computer science to work on latest projects with the Oculus Rift headsets. The goal is to seek out individuals with the time and interest to do something creative with virtual reality. This opportunity isn’t limited to school students; highschool students are also encouraged to participate, making this system community-oriented.
Contact Information
To learn more about joining the Oculus Rift team at Boise State, interested individuals can contact Cutchin at stevencutchin@boisestate.edu. This is a likelihood for college students to be a part of something progressive and groundbreaking in the sector of virtual reality.
Ongoing Projects
Cutchin’s team is working on developing several virtual reality projects. One project would allow users to explore vast spaces, reminiscent of a park, while walking around in an enclosed space, like a room, without feeling like they’re walking in circles or hitting objects within the enclosed space. The team also hopes to! partner with St. Luke’s to check how virtual reality may very well be used to distract cancer patients during chemotherapy treatments. These projects proceed the thought of using VR in unexpected ways, moving beyond traditional applications towards more progressive and helpful uses.
Conclusion
The opportunity for Boise State University students to work with virtual reality through the Oculus NextGen VR Research University program is a big step forward in education and innovation. With the potential to explore latest applications of VR, from architectural experiments to medical treatments, this program offers a novel likelihood for college students to be on the forefront of technological advancement. By encouraging creativity and community involvement, Boise State University is paving the best way for the following generation of virtual reality pioneers.
