Virtual reality may be the next frontier in technology as more organizations show interest and find applicable use cases. For instance, travel promotions company Destination BC is utilizing Oculus Rift, the fancy heads-up display unit acquired by Facebook Inc. earlier this year, to spur tourism through digital experiences.

Google is also toying with practical applications for virtual reality, announcing that its Google Maps client now has a virtual reality support through its virtual reality app and DIY gadget, Google Cardboard. You can explore Maps using Street View to feel like you’re actually walking down that street, and who knows what hidden Easter eggs you might find in Maps while exploring using this cheap virtual reality heads-up display unit.

If you want to try an immersive Google Maps experience, the Cardboard app can be downloaded for free.  There are other available apps that support Google Cardboard, some providing ‘live’ performances from Paul McCartney, or an exploration of the Shire with The Hobbit VR Experience.

For the Google Cardboard device itself, you can purchase VR cases that are pretty easy to assemble as all the parts that you need comes with the kit.  Dodocase offers a VR toolkit starting at $21.95, I am Cardboard kits start at $19.99, KnoxLabs cardboard kits start at $15, and Unofficial Cardboard kits start at $14.95. Some of them will ship immediately, while others won’t ship out until January of next year.

You can also try building your own Cardboard VR goggles. Here’s how:

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DIY Google Cardboard

Materials:

Corrugated cardboard

Lenses that have a 45mm focal distance might work, but biconvex lenses work best because they prevent distortion around the edges

One neodymium ring magnet and one ceramic disk magnet with an approximate size of 0.75in (19mm) diameter and 0.12in (3mm) thickness

Two strips of regular strength adhesive-backed velcro with an approximate size of 0.75in (20mm) by 1.25in (30mm)

One rubber band, to prevent the phone from sliding out with a minimum length of 3.2in (8cm).

One sticker NFC tag which you need to program with the URL cardboard://v1.0.0

Glue

Scissors or box cutter

The printable version of the Cardboard kit is available here for free download. The printout comes with simple instructions that starts with glueing the pattern on the corrugated cardboard and cutting out the needed parts and glueing some of the parts.

Manufacturers can also get in on the fun as a Manufacturer Kit is also available for free download.

More VR kits for DIYers

Creating your own VR kit is nothing new, as U.K. tech journalist Andy Lim created his own VR glasses five years ago. For Lim’s version, all you need are: cardboard, safety goggles, tape, pen or marker, ruler, craft knife or box cutter. First create a box that fits perfectly around the safety goggles, then create another piece that will hold your phone, and tape all the parts together to ensure a immersive experience.

Watch the full tutorial here:

Another way for you to create your own Google Cardboard is by utilizing a View-Master, the toy that lets you see film strips  of places, cartoon characters and other things. If you have one lying around and you’re no longer using it, you can take it apart to use the lenses, and place it on your phone’s screen to create that VR experience.

feature image by szczym via photopin cc