Being a Giraffe Inclusive VR Safari Controller Kit

Being a Giraffe lets wheelchair riders, children and players with limited grip walk the savannah as a giraffe. Two 90 cm laser-cut MDF legs with 3-D-printed spring hooves stream motion to any PC or standalone VR headset. Tipping alternate legs flexes each hoof, closing a tact switch and sending a step signal; the rebound spring and a small vibration motor deliver tactile feedback that ordinary VR handsets never provide.

Purpose and experience

Inclusive movement usable seated or standing; dowel inserts shorten the legs for young users; Velcro cuffs steady one-hand control.

Multi-sensory immersion physical gait, hoof vibration, spatial audio and panoramic vision fuse into a body-anchored lesson in giraffe ecology.

Ethical digital zoo scenes draw only on open wildlife datasets, removing the need for live animals or travel.

Key design points

1. Simple build all wood parts come from a single 300-500 mm MDF sheet; PLA hoof halves print on any 200-200 mm bed.
2. Eight common parts Arduino Nano, MPU-6050, HC-05 Bluetooth, Li-ion cell, MDF and PLA; total cost £40 per pair.
3. Minimal wiring one 8-wire loom; flashed in the Arduino IDE.

Assembly outline

1. Laser-cut and glue the MDF shells; add an optional pine-dowel core.
2. Print each hoof, insert a coil spring and tact switch, then screw it to the leg tip.
3. Solder, upload and stow electronics in the cavity; route a USB-C charge port to the base.
4. Wrap grips with recycled-foam tape; fit Velcro straps or a wheelchair clamp.
5. Pair legs via Bluetooth, launch the game and explore the savannah.