Teen Builds VR System After Studying MIT’s Electrical Engineering
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Nineteen-year-old Freesia Gaul developed a virtual reality prototype utilizing knowledge gained from free online courses offered through MIT OpenCourseWare. Leveraging resources from MIT Open Learning, Gaul engaged with over 2,500 undergraduate and graduate courses, beginning in 2018 with introductory electrical engineering classes such as 6.002 (Circuits and Electronics) and 6.01SC (Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science). This self-directed learning, facilitated by accessible online educational resources, provided Gaul with a foundational understanding of electrical engineering principles and enabled her to pursue independent invention and prototyping. Freesia Gaul’s Early Access to Online Learning Freesia Gaul utilized MIT OpenCourseWare starting at age 14, finding it crucial due to frequent school changes – attending 13 schools in total. The free online courses provided a “solid foundation of knowledge and problem-solving abilities” that traditional schooling couldn’t consistently offer given her mobile upbringing. She initially focused on introductory electrical engineering courses like 6.002 (Circuits and Electronics) and 6.01SC, which enabled her to begin “modding things” and build practical skills. Gaul’s engagement with MIT OpenCourseWare extended beyond introductory courses to include subjects like linear algebra, calculus, and quantum physics. This broad exploration, combined with participation in programs like Qubit by Qubit, fueled her passion for quantum computing and ultimately led her to study quantum engineering at the University of New South Wales. She even participated in the MIT Quantum Hackathon (iQuHack), receiving an honorable mention for her team’s creative approach. Building on this foundation, Gaul developed a haptic, gesture-tracking glove for virtual reality applications. This project, born from a desire to code on a low-battery laptop, ultimately won the People’s Choice award at the SxSW Sydney 2025 Tech and Innovation Festival and led to the founding of her tech startup, On Zero. She views this technology as a way to “pay it forward”, expanding access to improved human-computer interaction. Utilizing MIT OpenCourseWare for Self-Directed Study Freesia Gaul utilized MIT OpenCourseWare as a key learning resource beginning around age 14, filling educational gaps created by frequently changing schools. The free, online courses—including 6.002 (Circuits and Electronics) and 6.01SC (Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)—provided a “solid foundation of knowledge and problem-solving abilities” she found lacking elsewhere. This self-directed learning empowered her curiosity and allowed her to pursue interests beyond traditional curricula, ultimately contributing to her success in building innovative projects. MIT OpenCourseWare offers more than 2,500 free undergraduate and graduate courses, providing accessible educational resources. Gaul specifically benefited from introductory electrical engineering classes, which helped her understand practical applications and begin “modding things.” This access to materials allowed her to explore complex subjects like quantum physics, leading to participation in programs like Qubit by Qubit and eventually, a quantum engineering degree at the University of New South Wales. Gaul’s passion for creation culminated in a haptic, gesture-tracking glove for virtual reality, winning a People’s Choice award at SxSW Sydney 2025. She attributes her ability to develop this technology, and co-found the startup On Zero, to the foundation provided by MIT OpenCourseWare. She views the free courses as a way of “paying it forward,” enabling wider access to knowledge and fostering creative freedom for others. The free courses gave me a solid foundation of knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Without these, it wouldn’t be possible to do what I’m doing now. Development of a Haptic Glove for Virtual Reality Freesia Gaul developed a haptic, gesture-tracking glove intended for use with virtual reality (VR) and robotics. She integrated small linear resonant actuators – components also found in smartphones and gaming controllers – into the glove’s design. These actuators map to objects within VR, allowing users to feel what they are interacting with virtually. An early prototype built in her dorm room gained attention online and ultimately won the People’s Choice award at the SxSW Sydney 2025 Tech and Innovation Festival. The development of this glove stemmed from a practical problem Gaul faced: wanting to code on a laptop with a dying battery while on a train. This sparked her innovation to create a device enabling typing “in the air.” Gaul’s work builds on a foundation of knowledge gained through MIT OpenCourseWare, specifically introductory electrical engineering classes like 6.002 (Circuits and Electronics) and 6.01SC (Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), which helped her understand electrical engineering practically and begin “modding things.” This haptic glove is a core element of Gaul’s newly co-founded tech startup, On Zero. She envisions the device as a means of improving human-computer interaction and making it more accessible. Gaul emphasizes the importance of empowering others to pursue their curiosity, noting that access to free resources like MIT OpenCourseWare provided her with the “solid foundation of knowledge and problem-solving abilities” necessary to bring her invention to life.
Quantum Computing Interests and Hackathon Participation Freesia Gaul’s interest in quantum computing began with MIT OpenCourseWare courses, specifically after discovering the platform at age 14. She took classes in quantum physics, leading her to participate in Qubit by Qubit, a two-semester course introducing high schoolers to the field, hosted by The Coding School in collaboration with universities including MIT. This early exposure fueled her passion and ultimately influenced her choice to study quantum engineering at the University of New South Wales. Building on her foundational knowledge, Gaul participated in iQuHack, the MIT Quantum Hackathon, during her first day of university. Her team focused on approximating a hyperbolic function using quantum logic and received an honorable mention for “exceptional creativity.” This demonstrates how OpenCourseWare provided a solid base for tackling complex problems in a competitive academic setting, translating theoretical understanding into practical application within a hackathon environment. Gaul’s initial exploration of quantum physics through MIT’s free online courses allowed her to delve into advanced concepts and even teach alongside PhDs, as documented through her blog, “On Zero.” This demonstrates the power of OpenCourseWare to empower self-directed learning and allow individuals to quickly gain expertise, ultimately leading to opportunities like participating in and contributing to the field of quantum computing. Source: https://news.mit.edu/2025/teen-builds-vr-prototype-thanks-to-mit-opencourseware-1217 Tags: