About
Hardware
Software
FAQ
About
Virtual reality on your smartphone
We want everyone to experience virtual reality in a simple, fun, and inexpensive way. That's the goal of the Cardboard project.
Watch our I/O 2014 Tech Talk about Virtual Reality for Android
Got cardboard?
Download the Android App Try the Chrome Experiments
Virtual reality has made exciting progress over the past several years. However, developing for VR still requires expensive, specialized hardware. Thinking about how to make VR accessible to more people, a group of VR enthusiasts at Google experimented with using a smartphone to drive VR experiences.
The result is Cardboard, a no-frills enclosure that transforms a phone into a basic VR headset, and the accompanying open software toolkit that makes writing VR software as simple as building a web or mobile app.
By making it easy and inexpensive to experiment with VR, we hope to encourage developers to build the next generation of immersive digital experiences and make them available to everyone.
Hardware
Build your own
Construct a VR viewer from everyday items you can find in your garage, online or at your local hardware store.
Here's what you need to get started:
Cardboard ingredients
Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard sheet, preferably E Flute (corrugated cardboard comes in a variety of thicknesses called "flutes"), available at many art supply stores and online . For best results, you should look for strong, thin cardboard (sturdy shoe box rather than moving box). Minimum size: 8.75in (22cm) by 22in (56cm), and 0.06in (1.5mm) thickness. Online sources here and here
Lenses
This is the trickiest component. Lenses that have a 45mm focal distance might work. Biconvex lenses work best because they prevent distortion around the edges. We used the Durovis OpenDive Lens Kit available here (US) and here (EU).
Magnets
One neodymium ring magnet - like this or this - and one ceramic disk magnet - like this or this. Approximate size: 0.75in (19mm) diameter and 0.12in (3mm) thickness.
Velcro
Two strips of regular strength adhesive-backed velcro. Approximate size: 0.75in (20mm) by 1.25in (30mm).
Rubber band
One rubber band, to prevent the phone from sliding out. Minimum length of 3.2in (8cm).
NFC tag (optional)
One sticker NFC tag. Program it with the URL cardboard://v1.0.0
You'll also need a ruler, glue, and scissors, an X-acto knife, or access to a laser cutter.
Cardboard Design Files
Software
Code your own
Use the experimental VR Toolkit to build immersive experiences that work with Cardboard and other viewers.
We've created a tutorial and provided documentation to get you started. Because this SDK is experimental, it won't receive the same level of support as core Android SDKs and libraries.
Things may change or break as we continue working, but the projects you build and feedback you provide will guide subsequent versions.
Developer Documentation
FAQ
Your questions answered
How did the Cardboard project start?
David Coz and Damien Henry at the Google Cultural Institute in Paris built a cardboard smartphone housing to prototype VR experiences as part of a 20% project. The results elicited so many oohs and ahs that they inspired a larger group to work on an experimental SDK.
Will Cardboard work with my phone?
Cardboard works with most modern Android phones. Phones need to be running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or above. Ideally they should support NFC too.
Here is a list of the phones we've tested that are compatible with Cardboard.
Fully compatible
Google Nexus 4 and 5
Motorola Moto X
Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Partially compatible
Magnetic input not working
HTC One
Motorola Moto G
Magnetic input not working & headtracking/rendering issues
Samsung Galaxy S3
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