New and exciting technology comes out every day. With each passing hour humanity is closer and closer to what we can see in Sci-Fi movies like Matrix or Reaady Player One and Virtual Reality is leading the charge in the futurisation of media. Companies like Cyberith or KatVR recently made a large step towards making VR feel even more immersive with their new and exciting VR treadmills. But let’s start from the beggening.
Brief Summary of VR
VR stands for Virtual Reality, a technology that uses certain devices (most commonly goggles or glasses) to project an image of a different world in front of the user’s eyes and ears. In most simple terms, it is a way to transport yourself to a reality that doesn’t exist. Its most main-stream use is entertainment, be it movie or video games.
What is a VR treadmill?
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With VR being just a headset and a set of controllers with trackers, one thing that has been greatly lacking in the immersion of the media was movement. When your body was travelling in-game, but you felt yourself just standing still, it took you out of the experience and a lot of times, caused motion sickness. Those problems are no more with the invention of a VR treadmill.
Consisting of a couple of arms holding a waistband that goes around your belt as well as a slippery ground, the construction is made to create a walking experience that feels as effortless as possible.
With a special set of slippery boots, the user hooks themselves into the waistband and from now on, they can slide around the platform just like if they were walking, but in place! Speed, positioning and direction are all translated into whatever game supports this hardware and in a moments notice, your character is moving just like you are.
VR treadmills are still relatively new and suffer from a couple of drawbacks like being hard to get used to the movement and quick wearing out of the shoes. However, the technology is exciting and with proper care and development, it won’t be long until we’ll be able to runaround the meta-verse very much like what we can see in Ready Player One.
Sources:
https://www.kat-vr.com/
https://www.cyberith.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoNWOBhCwARIsAAiHnEhuqJ3kmD5IonIdhdU9e1nCVlHfkZwYgiSsh78zNYLA3Yz_6Yc0SqwaAt6bEALw_wcB
https://gadgets-reviews.com/review/178-running-from-the-reality-vr-treadmills.html
I think most boys have always wanted to try something like this, as this invention can completely change the gaming process. Of course, there are some disadvantages like high cost (probably) and taking much space to place this machine. However, if it proves to be entertaining and gains popularity, these drawbacks will probably be solved.
Amazing concept! Apart from gaming experience, it might also improve sports in VR. You could run on such a treadmill while your googles would display any place in the world. It would be definitely a nice alternative for runners especially during the winter.
Its a cool concept and could be very useful for the gaming experience, you will have the privilege to be more precise when moving in games. It is also a great workout. I feel like it is going to be very useful in the Metaverse.