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Nerf Gun Tracked in Virtual Reality
Modding a Nerf Barricade into an HTC Vive tracked controller. A digital trigger wired to an Arduino gives real tactile feedback in VR.
To create a more tactile interface in VR, I modified a Nerf Barricade into a tracked prop for use with the HTC Vive. The video shows it working in-game: the Vive controller is mounted inside the Nerf gun body for 6DoF tracking, and the physical trigger is wired to an Arduino that sends button signals to the PC. In the game view, the weapon model mirrors the real prop's position and orientation, and shooting it shatters white cube targets via the Exploder plugin.
The hardware build (disassembly, trigger switch, Arduino wiring) is documented below:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do Vive trackers work for prop tracking?
HTC Vive trackers attach to physical objects and use the Lighthouse base stations to track their position and rotation in 3D space. By mounting a tracker to a Nerf gun, you can track the prop's exact position in VR and overlay a virtual weapon model on top of it.
How long do Vive 3.0 trackers last?
The VIVE Tracker 3.0 lasts up to 7.5 hours on a full charge. For extended play sessions with tracked props like a Nerf gun, you may want multiple trackers or a USB charging solution between sessions.
Does the HTC Vive support hand tracking?
Yes, newer HTC Vive headsets support hand tracking through the VIVE Wave SDK. However, for physical props like Nerf guns, dedicated Vive Trackers provide more precise positional tracking and the ability to detect button presses through the tracker's accessory port.
