Valve Tutorial

Overview

Valve Tutorial is a mixed reality valve training experience for Meta Quest. It helps users learn operation and assembly through guided, hands-on modules using hand tracking, with the option to switch into full VR when they want a more focused learning environment.

The project is designed around the idea that people understand equipment better when they can interact with it directly. Instead of reading a procedure or watching a flat video, users can explore parts, follow prompts, complete tasks and build confidence in a risk-free virtual space.

Goals and objectives

Enhance learning

Provide an engaging and interactive training environment that improves understanding and retention of valve operation through guided modules and direct interaction.

Risk-free learning

Create a safe virtual environment where users can explore, make mistakes and learn without risk to themselves or damage to real equipment.

Hands-on experience

Use hand tracking and mixed reality to mirror the feel of handling components, inspecting parts and working through an assembly sequence.

Process and development

1. Concept and learning flow

The project started with defining the learning objectives, valve operation flow and assembly sequence. The key question was not just what needed to be shown, but what the user needed to do in order to understand the process.

2. Model and interaction design

Detailed interaction flows were created to map how users would move through the experience, what they would interact with, and how prompts would guide the training sequence.

3. Build in Unity for Quest

The experience was built in Unity for Meta Quest, combining realistic valve models, guided prompts, hand-tracked interaction and virtual learning stages.

4. Playtesting and iteration

Testing focused on clarity, comfort, accuracy and interaction feel. The experience was refined based on feedback around pacing, task order and how clearly users understood the next step.

5. Ongoing updates

The experience can continue to improve as modules, interactions and learning requirements evolve.

Challenges and solutions

Ensuring realism and accuracy

The training needed to feel credible without becoming too complex. The solution was to focus on clear component relationships, practical interaction points and guided steps that supported the learning goal.

Optimising performance

The project needed to run smoothly on standalone Quest hardware. Asset optimisation and focused scene design helped keep the experience responsive while still feeling immersive.

Results and impact

Clearer understanding

Guided hands-on modules help users understand valve operation, component relationships and assembly flow more clearly than a passive explanation.

Safe learning environment

Users can experiment in a virtual environment where mistakes carry no risk to people or equipment.

Positive feedback

Users consistently call out the clarity of the guided flow and the value of interacting with parts directly.

Availability

Valve Tutorial is available on Meta Quest through the Meta store link above.