Virtual + Augmented Reality

Get Started with AR/VR

VR Headsets are available to faculty and staff for instruction and research. Fill out the form to initiate a reservation. Email us at maker-vr@engr.wisc.edu with any questions. No priority will be given to any specific CoE department or instructor.

*All requests must be placed at least 3 weeks in advance for software installs

Ready to get started? Fill out the ‘Headset Request Form’ or email maker-contact@engr.wisc.edu to reserve Kohler Visualization Suite.

Permit Requirements are enforced with wiscard swipes or m-passes.

College of Engineering faculty and staff are not required to pay the materials fee though they must have a CoE permit.

Learning Modules (Optional!) Join the course in Canvas.

VR Headsets for Instruction & Research

Any faculty or staff member at UW-Madison may check-out headsets for instructional use thanks to a partnership with the Provost’s Office and the College of Engineering.

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Only the Oculus Go and Quest headsets are part of this pilot program. Other Kohler Vis Lab AR/VR equipment require an M-Pass or CoE Shop Permit.
This is only for faculty/staff at UW and not for students or student orgs to check out.
The instructors will need to provide software and/or access to the software.
The instructors will need to verify software at least 3 days in advance of the event or class.
The headsets can be used in the Kohler Vis Lab but the lab needs to be reserved separately (email maker-contact@engr.wisc.edu).
The headsets can be used outside the Makerspace with Shop Manager approval.
- The instructor will need to provide a pickup time and drop off time.
- The instructor will need to provide the names of people picking up and dropping off.
The Makerspace student staff can provide basic technical support but will not be able to run, organize, teach lab lessons, and/or create educational content specific to a course. Makerspace staff with VR expertise may not be present during all scheduled lab times so advanced planning is required. It’s recommended that each course has a lab TA that is fairly knowledgeable with frequent questions and issues with their lesson.

Instructors must provide their own instructional content and teaching support when using VR equipment as part of their class (e.g. a TA to walk students through the instructional content as needed).

The following items can be provided:

21 Oculus Quest 1, 64 GB VR headsets
10 Oculus Quest 2, 64 GB VR headsets
25 Oculus Quest Go, VR headsets
Cases to safely transport and store headsets
Disposable headset covers
AA rechargeable batteries and battery charger

The VR equipment is not to be removed from the Kohler Innovation Visualization Studio unless approved by the shop manager.

AR/VR Equipment

Make	Make + Model	Qty	Type	Permit Required
HTC	HTC Vive	2	Headset with base station, controllers	Lab Orientation
HTC	HTC Vive Pro Starter Kit w/ Wireless	1	Headset with base station, controllers, wireless	Lab Orientation
HTC	HTC Vive Tracker	2	Wearable movement tracker for VR integration	Lab Orientation
Humaneyes	Humaneyes 3D 360 VR camera	1	360 degree camera	Lab Orientation
Leap Motion	Leap Motion Controller	1	Tracks both hands and all 10 fingers precisely and quickly.	Lab Orientation
Microsoft	Microsoft HoloLens	1	AR Headset	Lab Orientation
Oculus	Oculus Rift + Touch	1	Virtual reality headset	Lab Orientation
Oculus	Oculus Quest	21	all-in-one gaming system built for virtual reality	None
Oculus	Oculus Quest 2	10	all-in-one gaming system built for virtual reality	None
Samsung	Samsung Gear 360	1	360 degree camera	Lab Orientation
Samsung	Samsung Mixed Reality Headset	1	Headset does not need base station	Lab Orientation
Thalmic Labs	Thalmic Labs - Myo Gesture Control Armband	1	Armband	Lab Orientation

The Makerspace will:

Setup, label, and number the headsets and controllers
Charge and store the headsets when not in use
Replace and charge controller batteries when needed
Coordinate schedules with instructors, including time instructors may need to load files to the headsets
Provide technical support to instructors regarding VR headsets, including hardware, firmware updates, and file uploads to the headsets if requested by the instructor.
Troubleshoot headsets that are malfunctioning (based on staffing availability and may not occur on-demand).
Offer a brief orientation to the Kohler Innovation Visualization Studio for instructors using the VR headsets in their courses.
Provide disposable headset covers at the request of instructors; requests must be made in a reasonable timeframe (to be established at a later date); purchase additional disposable headset covers when the initial supply is depleted.
Insert or remove glasses spacers in headsets as needed; instructors must request number of headsets needing glasses spacers in advance in a reasonable timeframe (to be established at a later date).

Makerspace staff will do their best to ensure the equipment is ready and working properly for each reservation; however, users must be prepared to use the equipment independently.