New devices
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:20 pmWalk this way
Hiroo Iwata, from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and other groups are exploring different aspects of virtual reality. Iwata has previous developed multi-directional treadmills and powered roller skates, and demonstrated a new idea called String Walker at SIGGRAPH.
This system tracks a user's walk, allowing them explore a virtual environment on foot. Wheeled sandals keep the user walking on the same spot, while a network of strings and motors track the motion of their feet with each step.
The whole setup is mounted on a turntable, so that a person can swivel on the spot. See a video of the String Walker being demonstrated. Some participants at SIGGRAPH 2007 said the necessary walking motion took some getting used to.
Hiroo Iwata, from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and other groups are exploring different aspects of virtual reality. Iwata has previous developed multi-directional treadmills and powered roller skates, and demonstrated a new idea called String Walker at SIGGRAPH.
This system tracks a user's walk, allowing them explore a virtual environment on foot. Wheeled sandals keep the user walking on the same spot, while a network of strings and motors track the motion of their feet with each step.
The whole setup is mounted on a turntable, so that a person can swivel on the spot. See a video of the String Walker being demonstrated. Some participants at SIGGRAPH 2007 said the necessary walking motion took some getting used to.