MIT Reality Hack 2025: HangarPRO VR

HangarPRO VR: Redefining Pre-Flight Maintenance

HangarPRO VR is an immersive VR training simulation powered by Cognitive 3D, designed to enhance pre-flight safety and reliability. This groundbreaking tool equips maintenance teams with the ability to detect micro-tears on aircraft exteriors using the innovative Visual Interaction Analysis (VIA) methodology. By leveraging advanced eye-tracking analytics, VIA uncovers critical insights within complex datasets, ensuring safer skies for everyone.

Our Inspiration

We were inspired by the need to address overlooked challenges in aerospace safety. Pre-flight maintenance checks, while critical, often miss subtle micro-tears that can lead to catastrophic failures. The team wanted to create a meaningful experience that combined deep spatial understanding and deep learning to solve this issue. From living spaces to green spaces to outer space, our goal was to push the boundaries of what immersive technology could achieve.

What We Learned

Spatial Analytics: Cognitive 3D gave us insights into user behavior within VR environments, showing how data-driven design can enhance training simulations.
Team Collaboration: Working with a multidisciplinary team taught us the value of combining technical expertise with creative thinking.
Problem-Solving: We discovered how to balance innovative tech like eye-tracking with user-friendly design for effective training tools.

How We Built HangarPRO VR

Unity + XR Interaction Toolkit: We created the simulation environment, focusing on precision and user immersion.
Cognitive 3D Integration: Eye-tracking data was used to optimize Visual Interaction Analysis, ensuring users could efficiently identify micro-tears.
Meta Quest 3: The hardware allowed us to deliver a seamless VR experience.
Design Tools: Figma helped visualize the user journey, and PlasticSCM and Git ensured smooth version control for our codebase.

Challenges We Faced

Integrating Eye-Tracking Data: Calibrating Cognitive 3D analytics to accurately track user focus areas was complex but rewarding.
Realism vs. Performance: Balancing realistic visual fidelity with optimal VR performance required iterative testing.
Collaboration Tools: Managing file versions and resolving merge conflicts across a distributed team tested our adaptability.

Our Team: VR Aviators

Shania Brown: Lead Developer
Akifah Ahmed: Product Manager
Brandi Nichols: Developer/Designer
Yafira Martinez: Developer/Designer
Sam Guzma: Developer/Designer

🔧 Tech Stack / Tools

Unity 2022.3.56f1
- XR Interaction Toolkit
Cognitive 3D
Meta Quest 3
Code: Visual Studio Code
Design: Figma
Version Control: PlasticSCM, Git

Deep Spatial, Deep Thinking, Deep Learning

Our journey with HangarPRO VR reflects our commitment to building meaningful experiences. By blending technology, creativity, and problem-solving, we aim to redefine how industries approach challenges—whether in living spaces, green spaces, or outer space.