Project: Fear of Heights Demo

What is the Fear of Heights Demo?
The Fear of Heights Demo is an immersive virtual reality project designed to simulate the experience of fear of heights as realistically as possible. Using modern VR technology and physical effects such as bass shakers and wind, an intense, realistic environment is created that challenges users emotionally while providing fascinating insights into the interplay between technology and human perception.

Who is this project interesting for?

• Prospective students who are enthusiastic about practical, future-oriented applications in computer science, media or psychology
• Game developers who want to experience or further develop immersive technologies, multisensory systems and hardware integration
• Researchers interested in VR interaction, perception psychology or new application scenarios in the field of simulation

Use & environment
The project is based at the Institute for Visual Computing and is presented at laboratory events and public events. It provides exciting impetus for development and research in the field of VR and has found its way into practical teaching.

Technology & setup
The technical implementation is based on a combination of:

• Meta Quest 3 (server with VR application)
• Android tablet (client for controlling physical effects)
• Power amplifier, bass shaker and fan for simulating vibration and wind
• Physical plank as a platform for users.

Audio and control signals are transmitted wirelessly to enable free, immersive movement.

What are the benefits of the project?
For students, the demo offers direct practical relevance:

• Development in VR environments
• Adaptation to real hardware conditions
• Understanding of multisensory design of VR experiences

Future & further development
The project offers a wide range of approaches for future applications – from psychological research to interactive learning and training environments.