This Project Makes Augmented Reality Minecraft Games Easier
Augmented Reality (AR) is distinct from Virtual Reality (VR) in that it brings the real world into the virtual game. The most famous example of AR is Pokémon Go, which allows players to find pocket monsters in their own physical region. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, but it doesn't have any official AR gameplay. So Ryan Chan tackled the problem himself and created a system that translates real-world movement into control of a player's Minecraft avatar.
We'll just assume you know how Minecraft works, as you've probably played it yourself. Chan's project works with the standard game and does not require any special mods. Chan could even use it to play on other people's Minecraft servers if he wanted. The system counts steps and converts them into forward motion in-game. It also detects actual spinning motion and replicates that motion in-game. But other actions, like attacking or swapping items, require pressing conventional buttons.
The key components of this project are an Arduino MKR Zero board, an MPU-6050 IMU (inertial measurement unit), and two force-sensitive resistors. The IMU detects rotational movements, while the force-sensitive resistors detect footsteps when worn on the player's shoes. Four mechanical key switches trigger the other actions. Chan configured the Arduino to appear as a standard USB HID keyboard and mouse when plugged into a computer, so Minecraft accepts control commands without issue. To tidy it all up, Chan designed a custom PCB that houses the aforementioned components.
Using this system for Minecraft games is tricky, as it requires a lot of open space in the real world to navigate the virtual world. But with access to a large park, it allows the player to enjoy a Minecraft AR experience.
Augmented Reality (AR) is distinct from Virtual Reality (VR) in that it brings the real world into the virtual game. The most famous example of AR is Pokémon Go, which allows players to find pocket monsters in their own physical region. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, but it doesn't have any official AR gameplay. So Ryan Chan tackled the problem himself and created a system that translates real-world movement into control of a player's Minecraft avatar.
We'll just assume you know how Minecraft works, as you've probably played it yourself. Chan's project works with the standard game and does not require any special mods. Chan could even use it to play on other people's Minecraft servers if he wanted. The system counts steps and converts them into forward motion in-game. It also detects actual spinning motion and replicates that motion in-game. But other actions, like attacking or swapping items, require pressing conventional buttons.
The key components of this project are an Arduino MKR Zero board, an MPU-6050 IMU (inertial measurement unit), and two force-sensitive resistors. The IMU detects rotational movements, while the force-sensitive resistors detect footsteps when worn on the player's shoes. Four mechanical key switches trigger the other actions. Chan configured the Arduino to appear as a standard USB HID keyboard and mouse when plugged into a computer, so Minecraft accepts control commands without issue. To tidy it all up, Chan designed a custom PCB that houses the aforementioned components.
Using this system for Minecraft games is tricky, as it requires a lot of open space in the real world to navigate the virtual world. But with access to a large park, it allows the player to enjoy a Minecraft AR experience.
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