NASA Balance Training Sim
(2023 Co-op) This application was presented to and tested by NASA astronaut trainers as a gamified tool to help train balance in astronauts when they return from space, while proprioception and balance are severely lacking. In this VR space (while standing on a balance board with motion trackers strapped to the user’s arms and legs), the user navigates an abandoned mineshaft while trying to maintain their balance upright and lean into turns without falling to obtain the highest balance score possible.
NASA Engineer testing the simulation
Gameplay
Technology: Created game elements in Unity, scripted with C#, used Github for version control and Trello for task management. Python server received signals from accelerometers that then sent data to the Unity project in order to display real-time progress and determine balance score.
Role: Led a team of three game developers and two 3D digital designers within a larger multidisciplinary team to create a VR simulation tool to help astronauts train their balance after returning from space. Responsibilities included designing the gameplay for and creating a level in the VR experience that utilizes the external accelerometer sensors to provide feedback on the user’s balance, collaborating with computer engineers to integrate sensor feedback into the game, iterating design elements with 3D designers to get the right environment feel, and collaborating with client (NASA) to bring desired functionality into the game.
Learned: Learned to collaborate with other disciplines (computer, mechanical, and bio-med engineers), gained experience leading a team of designers and developers to create a product for an actual client, and gained experience receiving feedback/criticisms from a client and tailoring a product to their needs.
More info/articles: Team Instagram, RIT article, Kate Gleason College of Engineering article, RochesterFirst News coverage