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Unity-Protopie VR Prototype

A demo that integrates ProtoPie prototypes into a VR environment using Unity, so multi-screen HMIs can be tested inside an immersive cockpit.

Fig. 1. Real-time interactive ProtoPie HMI and vehicle color configurator running inside Unity VR via Meta Quest.
Fig. 1. Real-time interactive ProtoPie HMI and vehicle color configurator running inside Unity VR via Meta Quest.

01 problem

Validating multi-screen automotive HMI systems on traditional 2D flat displays lacks spatial context, making it difficult to evaluate ergonomics, reachability, and visual continuity across displays. Building physical rig hardware for every design variation is costly and slow, creating a bottleneck during early-stage spatial HMI testing.

02 approach

Configured ProtoPie Connect to stream four simultaneous live scenes (Car Color Changer, cluster, large central display, and small central display) across local web sockets.

Built two dedicated Unity VR scenes (IAA_scene01_2 for exterior configuration and IAA_scene02_1 for the interior cockpit) targeting Unity Editor 2022.3.23f1.

Embedded Vuplex 3D WebView components across virtual screen GameObjects to map live ProtoPie browser URLs directly onto 3D surfaces in real time.

Linked bi-directional C# messaging scripts (communication.cs and ExternalSceneLoader.cs) to sync real-time user input and local IP socket communication with Meta Quest Link.

03 stack

prototype ProtoPie Studio · 4 live .pie scenes
host ProtoPie Connect
vr engine Unity Editor 2022.3.23f1 · XR / VR Cockpit
browser Vuplex 3D WebView
headset Meta Quest (Quest 2 / 3 / Pro) via Quest Link
scripts C# · communication.cs & ExternalSceneLoader.cs

04 outcome

Interactive car color configurator
In-car fully interactive cluster, central display and second central display

The VR prototype connects digital UI design to spatial ergonomics, letting designers and engineers test multi-display interactions and vehicle color customization inside a 3D virtual cockpit, without a physical hardware rig.

05 artifacts