Box and Block VR

Overview

Box and Block VR is a virtual reality simulation of the standardized Box and Block Test, a clinical assessment used to evaluate upper extremity gross manual dexterity. This research prototype has been tested with 50+ participants at Limbitless Solutions.

Demo

Features

Data Collection System

• Measure patient performance
• Export session data for analysis
• Data persistence on local machine

EMG Controller Integration

Integrated an in-house API for our team's custom EMG (electromyography) controllers, allowing patients to interact with the VR environment using muscle flexes rather than traditional controllers for trigger/grip input.

Custom Shaders

Wrote custom shaders in HLSL to provide visual feedback and queues to users.

Database Plugin for Unity

Engineered a service-agnostic plugin for talking to cloud storage and realtime database services

• Decouples data handling from specific projects and game logic
• Enables cloud integration across any Unity applications
• Significantly reduces future development overhead
• Currently integrated with our team's Firebase

Class Diagram

Documentation

Created and maintained detailed technical documentation

• Speed up onboarding for new team members
• Standardize development practices
• Reduce cases where this project is too reliant on one team member

Technical Challenges

• Integrating custom hardware (EMG controllers) with Unity's input system
• Designing a flexible database plugin architecture that works across multiple projects and services
• Optimizing VR performance while maintaining accurate physics simulation
• Creating an accessible input/navigation system for patients of varying levels of mobility