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VR Lab

Home to an extensive array of immersive technologies, the VR Lab serves as a research and testing ground for faculty and students interested in exploring the educational potential of VR, XR and 360° cameras in the classroom and beyond.

VIVE Cosmos VR Headset

The HTC Vive Cosmos is a Virtual Reality headset system. Virtual Reality, or VR, places the user in a computer-generated virtual environment that can be interacted with by a user wearing VR equipment including headsets, controllers, and sensors.

Featured Experience: Mondly VR

Mondly VR is the world’s first language learning experience with chatbot and speech recognition. Practice real-life conversations in 30 languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese and more.

Oculus Quest VR Headset

The Oculus Quest is a fully immersive VR headset with built-in ear pieces and touch controllers. The system utilizes inside out tracking to power the headset without the need to tether the system to a PC or external sensors.  

Featured Experience: Virtual Orator

Virtual Orator is a virtual reality simulator that creates the sensation of being in front of an audience. You can use this application to practice and master public speaking skills from the comfort of your home.

Ricoh Theta V 360 Camera

The Theta V is a 360° camera that allows users to capture one-click recording and photography in 4K, automatically stitching and processing the image on-the-go in various shooting modes.

Featured Experience: Visible Body

This Augmented Reality (AR) experience allows you to dissect 3D models of specimens and cadavers using your phone or iPad.

Access

Book a VR Station*

Please note that access by external (non-MRU) users is limited to one day per month on Community Access Day, which will be the first Friday of each month, and visits can be booked in advanced here. During Community Access Day, the VR Lab is still open to MRU students, faculty, and staff. Booking a visit on Community Access Day does not guarantee use of the space. Student learning and research is our priority and external community visitors may be asked to rebook their visit if needed so that we can support the MRU community (students and faculty) in their learning, teaching, and/or research.

The VR Lab contains specialized technology, equipment and software, and is not meant to be used as a group meeting room; users not using the space for its intended purpose will be asked to leave. Users misusing the VR Lab may be prevented from booking in the future or be referred to Security or the Office of Student Community Standards.

1. Book a VR Station in the VR Lab

  • If you are a student, faculty or staff member, book a VR Station online.
  • The door to the VR Lab must remain open at all times.
  • When you arrive at your scheduled time, the door should be unlocked and you should be able to access the VR Station that you booked. If for any reason you are unable to access the space or your booked station, please see the Library Service Desk.

2. Review Quick Start Guide

3. Properly Use the Space

  • Food and drink are not permitted within the VR Lab.
  • Remain within the designated virtual reality area during your session.
  • Leave the door to the space open at all times.
  • Adhere to any instructions and supports posted within the VR Lab.
  • Only one person per station per booking (to enable greater accessibility one support person is permitted during bookings).
  • You may not download content on your own, instead connect with Maker and Media Commons staff or use the Recommend a Purchase form on the library website.

4. Space Use Requirements

  • Make a booking for a station before using the equipment.
  • Sign the Waiver of Liability (within booking form).
  • Must be an MRU Staff, Faculty or current student.
  • Must be 16 years of age or older.

The space is small and each VR station is only designed to support one user at a time and there are only two stations. Any additional people who tag along to a booking will need to wait outside the VR Lab.

The headsets available at the stations are Vive Cosmos headsets. This is a tethered headset that utilizes inside out tracking rather than sensors. It operates VR experiences through the STEAMVR platform. 

 

*Access to the MRU VR Lab is prioritized for current MRU Faculty, Students and Staff for the purpose of curricular (course-based), co-curricular and research activities. Children under 16 are not permitted in the space. This includes the children or dependents of MRU employees or students.

From time to time, we work with local schools and groups on teaching and learning initiatives; please contact us if you wish to explore this option. It is strongly recommended that visitors who are not current MRU students, faculty or staff contact us in advance of their visit to confirm availability.

 

Other XR Technology

If you are interested in AR, MR or other XR technology, including 360º cameras, please connect with our Immersive Technologies Specialist.

Location

VR Lab

Home to an extensive array of immersive technologies, the VR Lab serves as a research and testing ground for faculty and students interested in exploring the educational potential of VR, XR and 360° cameras in the classroom and beyond.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Library staff, or book a VR station in the VR Lab during open hours. Library experts are here to help with getting started, answering questions or discovering new ways to integrate these technologies into classroom instruction.

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