Arduino + Unity

Introduction

This content was added as a part of Vishaka’s project 2 in Spring 2025. The goal of the project was for researching collaborative AR experiences, using a multi-user controller to test interactions. However, I pivoted the project to not use Arduino, mostly based on latency and troubles with getting the setup ready! 

This guide should help to outline the possibilities and current resources of using Arduino with Unity on a Meta Quest headset. 

Why connect Unity and Arduino?

Arduino provides novel physical inputs that are often used for real-world sensing, with sensors that could measure rotation (potentiometer), distance (ultrasonic), or even light (photoresistors). With this type of physical input, you can create new types of interactions from the physical world that trigger changes in the digital space of Unity. 

Connection methods

• Serial communication

  • Using Arduino to control Unity Objects, Arduino script sends to serial monitor, you have a C# script for object

  • Needs to be plugged into computer (not over wifi)

  • Resource

• Unity Plugins

  • Ardity: Resource

  • Uduino: Resource

• Bluetooth / Wifi connection

  • Connecting Unity with Arduino via wifi/bluetooth: Resource

  • Using UDP connection

  • Websocket connections