Rapid prototyping involves the use of large, immovable, and often expensive machinery which are stored and used in designated areas, often called “makerspaces.” Because of the fast turnover of prototyping, they also produce a lot of material waste through extruded and then discarded plastics, metals, and other common or proprietary materials.

Rapid prototyping comes with challenges such as material waste, physical and immovable workstations, expensive and delicate rendering machines, lack of accuracy, and often not really being rapid.

With the advancements of virtual and augmented reality, moving tasks to a virtual environment is an idea quickly approaching reality. Existing technologies such as Meta’s Oculus, or Microsoft’s Hololens are amongst the cutting edge technologies of consumer virtual and augmented reality devices and experiences, but have software that is too robust and heavy to allow for a smooth workflow and fully immersive feel.

With R.I.M.A, users will be able to work with imported or preloaded models to view, assemble, and adjust them in virtual space. By putting on the AR headset, the user can see the entire environment around them, and then augment it with models that can be moved in real space.

By creating custom hardware and software, we will create a device used specifically for the intent of virtual 3d object manipulation overlayed over real space to make a portable, inexpensive, eco-friendly, and fully functional makerspace.

Headset Specifications:

Due to the potential rapid changing and customization of this project, we will be using both custom hardware and software building off of and expanding currently accessible tools. For the headset, we will begin with a rudimentary setup of an LCD screen reflecting off of a mirror onto a tinted glass mirror. The components will be held with a custom 3d printed housing. The glass is tinted in order to increase the visibility of the reflected virtual image relative to the surrounding real environment.

Initially we will be using a flat mirror for simplicity, with the plans to upgrade to a convex mirror to account for a wider field of view.

The headset will also have a precision accelerometer and gyroscope embedded to account for any translational and rotational motion of the user. When an object is rendered it will have an initial position relative to the headset’s current position and stored in the object properties. As the user moves, the object’s position will update in real time.

Hand Tracking Specifications:

For hand tracking, we will be using an infrared light located at the wrist of the user to get a base measurement for the distance of the hand from the headset. This idea is similar to the inside out tracking system used by the Oculus Quest, Valve Index, and other similar systems. With that in place we have two options. To avoid reliance on hardware we will be implementing hand tracking through a python script from the camera in the headset. The other more hardware related option is to run strain sensors and gyroscopes from the wrist mount, to capture the length, size, and gesture of the hand and fingers.

Image Rendering

The device will pull data from 3d modeling software similarly to how it is read in a 3d printer in order to render the image in 3d space. Properties such as material, color, size, orientation, position, and density will be accounted for and set for each individual object.

While initially being designed for prototyping and 3d model manipulation, the same technology can be easily applied in the fields of surgery, art exhibits, tourism, trade skills training, and countless others. As AR/VR technologies improve, they have the potential to be integrated into life much like cell phones have been.However, much like computers are built with different specifications based on application, AR/VR headsets will necessarily be subject to the same standards. It is the mission of R.I.M.A. and the team behind it to be at the forefront of the new age of immersive working.

LCD Screen (or repurposed smartphone): $50

3d printed headset to mount and mirror: $5

Visor for image projection: $20

Sensor assortment: $15

total: $90