In VR-based training, the software can recreate the visual and spatial conditions of a shooting range, but the physical feel of the equipment is equally important. Pro Shooter VR accurately simulates an Olympic pistol shooting environment, offering a platform where athletes can practise, refine their technique, and improve performance. However, for this experience to feel complete, the controller must move beyond being a generic digital device. It must begin to feel like an extension of the shooter’s body.
Name
VR Gun Grip
Year
2024
Typology
Location
In VR-based training, the software can recreate the visual and spatial conditions of a shooting range, but the physical feel of the equipment is equally important. Pro Shooter VR accurately simulates an Olympic pistol shooting environment, offering a platform where athletes can practise, refine their technique, and improve performance. However, for this experience to feel complete, the controller must move beyond being a generic digital device. It must begin to feel like an extension of the shooter’s body.
The design therefore focuses on the physical grip as a critical point of interaction. A well-fitted grip supports the alignment of the hand, wrist, and arm, reducing strain and allowing for steadier control. The grip is modelled after an actual Olympic pistol and mounted onto the VR controller, allowing athletes to replicate the feel and handling of competition equipment within the virtual training environment. The development process was driven by continuous feedback from experienced shooters, focusing on how the grip felt in the hand and how effectively it performed as a functional tool. Through a series of iterative prototypes, produced using 3D printing, the design was repeatedly refined and optimized, resulting in a grip that balanced comfort, control, and performance.
Weight distribution was another key part of the exploration. The weight of a pistol affects control, stability, and fatigue, and athletes often customise their equipment to optimise comfort and balance. To mimic this experience, precise weights were incorporated into the VR controller design. These additions helped simulate the feel of a real pistol more accurately, improving balance and allowing the user to practise with greater control. The final design is an ergonomically crafted 3D-printed product that fits onto the VR controller, enhancing precision, balance, and realism. By combining digital simulation with a physical grip, the VR Gun Grip creates a phygital training tool that allows shooters to experience a more immersive and tactile practice environment. It demonstrates how 3D printing can be used to customise training equipment, translating the feel of a real object into the virtual world.
To expand the VR experience beyond pistol-based gameplay, a rifle-style grip was developed to replicate the handling and feel of an actual rifle. Guided by anthropometric studies, multiple iterations were tested and refined, with particular attention given to joinery, angles, reach, and recoil support to create a realistic and comfortable user experience.
Since 2019
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