Bob Ladrach
Portfolio
VIRTUAL KNIGHT
This pioneering creation featured a custom head-mounted display (HMD) and a unique control system. The HMD employed an ultrasonic system for head tracking, allowing players to look around the virtual world. Additionally, sword tracking functionality was achieved through a modified Nintendo Power Glove.
Space odyssey vr
Space Odyssey VR - Google Cardboard Play Store, created in Unity, Sketchup, Photoshop, Kinect.
NORTH POLE EXPRESS VR
North Pole Express VR - Google Cardboard Play Store, created in Unity, Sketchup, Photoshop, Kinect.
I created North Pole Express VR because I couldn't find a Polar Express VR game for my grandson. I wanted to learn how to use different cameras and switch between them smoothly. Even though I had very little time, I did my best to stay true to the concept.
To make the characters move in the game, I used a Kinect device with Unity. I also did all the voices for the characters myself, which made the game even more special.
MOTION CAPTURE WITH KINECT & UNITY
Motion Capture with Unity and Kinect ECGC Conference
I got an invitation to speak at the ECGC Conference in Raleigh. During my presentation, I showed how you can do motion capture on a tight budget. I also introduced the folks there to a nifty tool called Make Human and shared some tips on animating characters in Unity. It was a great experience!
MAGIC MIRROR
Magic Mirror Halloween Display - how it works…
The Magic Mirror is this big infinity mirror that gives the illusion of a stone hallway fading into darkness. When you get close to it, an infra-red sensor kicks things off. It's hooked up to a Kinect that records your body movements and mimics them with a skeleton warrior on the mirror. Kids absolutely love it. Once, for a private themed party, I even transformed it into Frank N Furter from Rocky Horror. What a blast that was!
perspective tracking
Perspective Tracking for marketing and entertainment.
I got inspired by an experiment I saw a while ago, which was a rigidly coded C+ example. My curiosity led me to wonder if I could replicate the same outcome using Unity and a webcam. And guess what? I managed to achieve a similar effect by crafting an artificial sense of depth in the 3D scene, all thanks to the viewer's head position.
The next four videos - Dungeon View, Aquarium, Mr. Krabs, Rolex, show progress as I was trying out different applications.
VR QUEST
VR Quest educational software VR Quest is a program designed for students, giving them the ability to craft their very own virtual worlds. It's a kid-friendly, non-violent virtual reality tool geared towards STEM education. To make things even easier, I've crafted more than 50 experiences that kids can use as starting points. My collaboration with Warren Black and VR Quest spans over 15 years, all with the goal of enhancing educational experiences for children.
Hunley vr
HUNLEY VR
The Hunley holds a remarkable place in history as the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy ship in combat, a feat accomplished during the Civil War. What's even more astounding is that when it was recovered in 2000, the crew was found intact inside. I envisioned taking you on a journey through its final voyage, immersing you inside the submarine alongside the crew. You'd experience the thrill of propelling the sub using a mechanical crank and launching an attack on the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor.
(Spoiler Alert) Unfortunately, just like the sub's historical fate, it wouldn't be a return journey either.
For this project, I crafted a water demonstration using Unity and brought the crew to life using Make Human.
4-D Adventure attraction
4-D Adventure - VR Attraction
I took charge of designing, prototyping, and installing motion simulator seats for an exciting VR experience known as "4-D Adventure." These installations were at various Six Flags amusement parks, including Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Mexico, and Six Flags St. Louis. The seats were equipped with air bladders that would inflate and move, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for riders. Additionally, water and air effects were synchronized with a 3D ride video to enhance the overall adventure. It was all about delivering an unforgettable and thrilling experience for park visitors.
Virtual Knight AR
Back in 2007, I started working on something cool called VIRTUAL KNIGHT AR. It was my first attempt at creating a networked AR sword-fighting game. The game had a unique setup – it used a cube map to control the sword, and we had markers for the helmet and shield. Later on, I kept working on it to make it even better.
beta zone vr GAMEROOM
THE BETA ZONE
I established a VR arcade known as the Beta Zone, which served as a space for enjoying our development hardware and various VR experiences. The inaugural Beta Zone made its debut back in 2003 in Garner, NC. Subsequently, we expanded our reach by installing another Beta Zone at Broadway Louie's in Myrtle Beach. Additionally, we extended the concept to two more locations, namely Six Flags Georgia and Great Adventure, offering visitors a taste of immersive VR entertainment.
trimersion vr peripheral
TRIMERSION GAME PERIPHERAL HMD
I spearheaded the design, prototyping, and production of an innovative VR gaming peripheral known as the TRIMERSION VR, compatible with PlayStation, GameCube, Xbox, and PC platforms.
This groundbreaking device marked a significant milestone as the first VR headset to incorporate a digital gyroscope. When we began development, the Gyration Gyro, the core technology, was as large as an inch cube. By the time the Trimersion was officially launched in 2004, we had managed to shrink it down to just a quarter of its original size. Interestingly, today, we commonly find similar gyroscopes integrated into our smartphones.
Notably, the Trimersion also pioneered wireless VR functionality. It allowed video transmission from the console to the headset while simultaneously converting tracking data into mouse movements and button clicks, delivering an immersive gaming experience ahead of its time.
