Meet the ZephVR

The ZephVR is an accessory that attaches smart fans to any VR headset and adds realistic wind at the right moments. So when you fly, fall, or accelerate—or when there’s wind in a game—you’ll actually feel it. We like to think of it as the Rumble Pak for VR.

The ZephVR uses machine learning to recognize the sound of wind and motion in VR games, automatically. This means it works for all games out of the box.

Tell your friends about the ZephVR!

How does the ZephVR improve VR?

The ZephVR adds a ton of immersion to VR games, especially those with lots of motion or weather. Here are some examples:

Moving around..like flying, racing, or swinging between trees.

Accelerating...like roller coaster drops, or skydiving!

Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!

Falling...because let’s be honest, you don’t always land where you want to.

Horror games. Try not to rip off your headset when you feel ghosts appear before you.

Here’s what some of our testers have said!

"I heard an arrow whiz by my left ear and for the first time, I could actually feel it. I was so startled I almost ran into the wall. This is what VR is supposed to feel like." -Jon N.

-Jon N. “The ZephVR felt like an integrated part of the game. I looked forward to every jump knowing that I would feel the wind rushing against my face. It truly added to the immersion.” -Scot D.

-Scot D. "ZephVR is the missing link to full VR presence that I didn't know I needed. It has vastly improved immersion, heat, and even nausea in my experiences with it." -Harrison S.

-Harrison S. “I've been lucky enough to test a prototype and I can confirm it does add quite a bit to the experience.” -Siamak F.

-Siamak F. “Immediately made other VR seem lacking.” -Matt R.

-Matt R. “I cannot imagine using VR without the ZephVR after trying it ONE TIME. It takes ‘VR’ a huge step closer to being Virtual Reality.” -Charles L.

How does the ZephVR work?

The ZephVR attaches quiet, lightweight fans to your VR headset to add wind to any VR experience. We designed the ZephVR to recognize the sound of wind in any audio track, so the ZephVR will work pretty well with any game out of the box!

We did this by labeling hours of gameplay audio and using machine learning to find patterns in the sound of wind. Think “hot dog / not hot dog” from Silicon Valley…but instead wind / not wind.

Here’s a demo from Windlands. On the left, you can see our see our software recognizing wind in the game (red means low/no wind, green means lots of wind). We unfortunately can’t get you into a VR headset across the internet, so we set the ZephVR on our monitor so you can watch the fans respond.

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The ZephVR can be used in two modes by flipping a switch:

Autonomous mode: Our software will automatically activate the ZephVR’s fans to coincide with events in whatever game you’re playing. As new games come out, we'll keep updating the ZephVR's software to make sure it recognizes wind in these games, too. We’ll also team up with game developers to create customized experiences for their games.

Our software will automatically activate the ZephVR’s fans to coincide with events in whatever game you’re playing. As new games come out, we'll keep updating the ZephVR's software to make sure it recognizes wind in these games, too. We’ll also team up with game developers to create customized experiences for their games. Always-on mode: The ZephVR will add a steady breeze to keep you cool and comfortable during any game.

Which systems is the ZephVR designed for?

We designed the ZephVR to be compatible with all the major console and PC-based VR systems:

HTC Vive

Oculus Rift

PlayStation VR

As new VR systems come out, we'll update the ZephVR's designs to make sure it will work with them too.

So who are you, anyway?

We're Paige Pruitt and Sean Spielberg, and together, we’re the Weasel Labs team. Why Weasel Labs? Well, take a look at this little guy and tell us you wouldn't name your company after him.

Our mission is to make VR as immersive as possible. And for that to happen, you need to feel a virtual world, not just see it. Wind is just the beginning. Beyond this Kickstarter, we plan to use our technology to enable all sorts of peripherals and physical effects—heat, vibration, rain, or anything else people can think up—so that they work with all VR experiences, automatically.

We've been friends for 14 years, and during a cab ride after a baseball game (and a few beers) in 2016, we decided we wanted to work together too. We'd both been working at startups in NYC (Paige as an engineer, and Sean as a product manager), but wanted to try our hand at something of our own.

We've both been VR addicts since the day the PSVR came out. One day, when Paige was playing London Heist, she leaned out the virtual car's window while accidentally putting her head in front of her window fan. The moment felt so eerily realistic that she immediately called Sean, and we began brainstorming ways to recreate immersive moments like this intentionally.

After making a prototype for the PSVR and getting supportive feedback on Reddit, we started thinking about bringing the ZephVR to market. We left our jobs, joined an LA startup incubator, and started working on the ZephVR full-time. We spent months demo-ing the ZephVR, discussing our project with manufacturers, and improving our prototype. We modified the size and position of the fans, honed our software, and added compatibility for the Vive and Rift.

Our ZephVR prototype is ready to manufacture…but we need your help to bring it to the world. By backing us on Kickstarter, you can help us take the final, crucial step in turning the ZephVR from a prototype to a product ready for mass production.

Join us!

Recently featured in...

“ZephVR is now a real device with a real chance of changing the game.” -Kyle Melnick, VRScout

"Meet the new accessory that lets you actually feel virtual reality" - Andy Meek, BGR

“4D effects for VR that were previously only available in theme parks and exhibitions” -Richard Borg, UrbanWearables

“[Y]ou will be able to actually feel when you are sailing through a storm, flying, accelerating, or falling from a height in your games.” -Shilpa Lama, TechMalak

“The ZephVR blows air in your face, which might actually make VR better” -Jon Martindale, Digital Trends

"ZephVR adds another physical dimension" -Jay Garrett, GadgetyNews

“VR’s About To Get Breezy As ZephVR Launches Kickstarter Campaign” -Peter Graham, VRFocus

Where can I learn more?