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Games Controlled By An Exercise Bike

Posted by Hemos on from the no-more-excues-fat-butt dept.

Fidigit writes "I know that most people reading this won't be _that_ interested in exercise, but given there's tech with it ... What do you think about computer games controlled by an exercise bike in your house? It sounds crazy, but it might just work." Update: 01/14 00:14 GMT by T : An anonymous reader points to another example of the same concept.

20 of 310 comments (clear)

  1. Paperboy! by Ribo99 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Only if the game is Paperboy.

    --
    I wear pants.
  2. Not news by OldMiner · · Score: 5, Informative

    This has been done several times before. For instance, there is this SNES/Sega/PC/whatever else you want bike which is basically a fancy looking controller and then there's this SNES specific bike, the Life Cycle which I recall being issues in some back issue of Nintendo Power. I think there was even a Pacman-esque game that was supposed to go with it.

    --
    You like splinters in your crotch? -Jon Caldara
    1. Re:Not news by mojogojo · · Score: 5, Interesting
      I don't think anybody has done it "right" yet. I've been waiting and watching... for some sort of contraption that you could place your own bike on which could vary the resistance based on feedback from game (i.e. if you are going up hill, then it should be harder to pedal, etc). And all the proper controls easily mountable/dismountable from handlebars...

      If someone made a quality piece of equipment that could enhance excercising indoors on a trainer, then that would definately be something - for the off-season.

    2. Re:Not news by yo303 · · Score: 4, Informative
      I wrote part of the SNES software for the LifeCycle when I worked at Radical Entertainment.

      The Exertainment System is the first truly interactive system that combines aerobic exercise and video entertainment. It consists of a Lifecycle 3500 aerobic trainer, one of the world's most popular computerized exercise bikes, and a Super NES, the world's most popular 16-bit video game system.

      While riding on your Lifecycle 3500, you can use the system to monitor your biking activities (rpm, distance, calories, etc.) or set up a long-term fitness program in the "Program Manager". You can also choose to participate in the game "Mountain Bike Rally". Choose from several riders, several terrains, and several different bikes to have a truly interactive experience.

      It didn't sell very well, but mostly because it wasn't marketed properly. You still see the systems in a some fitness clubs (if you do, enter your name as "ronaye" to see an easter egg picture of my girlfriend at the time.)

      The new system in the article is multiplayer, which should make it a little more fun. It didn't seem to have any feedback to make the pedalling harder, however. That is essential to making the exercise interactive.

      I think systems like this will take off, once they're done right. I mean, plain exercise bikes are already a substitute for real biking, and those are accepted now. "Virtual" exercising systems are just trying to be a step closer to reality.

      yo.

  3. Nothing new... by sjehay · · Score: 5, Informative

    See here for a commercially-available product for interfacing turbo trainers and Playstation (2)s that has been around for a while...

  4. Nintendo mats? by the_machine · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Does anyone remember those mats that you could use on Nintendo with games like Track and Field? I had one of those as a child. It seemed like the same good idea that this bike is.... until the second minute of playing the game. Then, it was more work then fun and my friends and I quickly resorted to using our fists instead of our feet. By the second day, the entire mat was stored in the closet never to see the light again.


    I think this Reebok bike will become a clothes hanger just like any other exercise bike... unless they figure out how to require it for GTA Vice City play.

    1. Re:Nintendo mats? by unicron · · Score: 5, Funny

      You aren't a gamer until you've dropped to your knees and pounded the living shit out a of nintendo power pad. We used to quickly stand up and do knee-drops for the log hurdles. Good times.

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
    2. Re:Nintendo mats? by madcow_ucsb · · Score: 5, Funny

      lol, I always liked how on the long-jump you could run, then just step off and wait behind the mat till you hopped back on to stick the insane landing...

  5. DDR maybe? by Telastyn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Peh, why not play DDR or something similar? Alot more challenging, and alot better workout. Don't like the high impact? Why not try PPP? Like ddr, only with hand waving and arm movements rather than alot of stomping.

  6. This has been around for a while.. by andres32a · · Score: 4, Informative

    I have been using the http://www.exertris.com/>Exertris for over a year know... Its Great. I personally find exercise quite boring but this does help me get through. The problem is that the number of games are limited.
    You can take a tour at the website to see if one is right for you...

  7. Re:And this is new? by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Didn't I ride on one of these sort of things at Epcot center a decade ago? It was a recumbent bike with a monitor above my head, showing a
    "tour" of famous cities + Disney parks, the speed of which varied by the speed I was pedaling."

    Yep.

    It was about as exciting as the movie Rollerball.

    I bet these things would have been a hit if they played porn instead. "If I pedal backwards, she becomes a virgin!"

  8. Re:Been there, done that... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "And playing a game that requires you to barely lift your feet (more like shuffling), is not exercise."

    Um, it's a little more than just 'barely lifting your feet'. People who get into that game rarely stop without breaking a sweat. It'd certainly do me more good than the exercise bicycle that's covered in a protective layer of dust.

  9. Current Nintendo research in this area by Samir+Gupta · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm sure you all know what Dance Dance Revolution is, the game that combines a dance pad with arrows on the screen that you dance to -- it's spread like wildfire, and even though it's only available for a competitor's platforms, I secretly admit to playing it to keep myself in shape. :) Some of you may also remember the old Nintendo Power Pad as well, even.

    Anyhow, Nintendo is taking the integration of physical activity with video games to a whole new level... we're researching motion tracking in 3-D using purely computer vision techniques, and using no sensors worn on the body, like traditional mocap techniques require.

    We've got some interesting preliminary prototypes of this technology, such as Swing Swing Revolution, like DDR, except you have to do swing moves, not merely hit the arrows with your feet, and Kung Fu Master, a remake of the venerable NES game, where you guessed it, need to do real punching and kicking.

    We look forward to commercializing this and making Nintendo the first and foremost choice of overweight geeks everywhere!

    --
    -- Samir Gupta, Ph. D. Head, New Technology Research Group, Nintendo Co. Ltd., Kyoto, Japan.
  10. Re:Been there, done that... by L-Train8 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    How about Namco's PropCycle, where you flew this pedal powered ultra-light thing and popped balloons. It came out circa 1995.

    Or Downhill Bikers? I could see a row of these at the gym.

    --

    Don't forget that Friday is Hawaiian shirt day.
  11. Better idea by lostboy2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    How about a video game controlled by eating donuts?

    Diabelch III, brought to you by Donutech. "Mmmm... Sprinkles..."

  12. Slashdot really needs to cath up... by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Funny

    "What do you think about computer games controlled by an exercise bike in your house? It sounds crazy, but it might just work."

    Wow, exercise bicycles with video games attached to them? I can't wait until Slashdot covers Rob the Video Robot!

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  13. Exercise Video Game by long_john_stewart_mi · · Score: 4, Funny
    They should make an RPG called "Body by Jake". You control Jake as he goes from an overweight pimple-faced kid to an infomercial superstar, just like the real Jake. Along the way, you will have to:
    • Get Results Fast!
    • Listen Up to Muscle Up
    • Map the Muscles to Manhood
    Special features are also included, like charisma, in which you subtly brag about how much you bench, flex your manhood for the ladies, and start your workout WITHOUT ANY WARMUP!! Get "Body by Jake" today!
    --
    ...oOOo..'(_)'..oOOo...
  14. Sounds geat, to a point... by Dread_ed · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I was thinking about this the other day while pondering a completely immersive VR environment.

    Applied to a, MMORPG this sort of idea could eventually lead to a skill advancement system based upon physical reaction time and endurance rather than mathematical formulas derived from levels and attributes. It could also enhance the gaming experience immensely!

    Furthermore, if you included exercise benefits, people could ALWAYS find the time to play their favorite game.

    More conservatively, using the human physiological responses to a gaming environment (excitement, endorphins, sustained concentration) could allow for intense exercise and fuel the desire to continue to exercise once the novelty has worn off.

    In other words, I think it is a *good thing*.

    --
    When the only tool you have is a claw hammer every problem starts to look like the back of someone's skull.
  15. Competition at the Gym by Enonu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How about networking a series of exercise bikes to add the competition element to exercise? It'd be fun to have such a setup at my local gym/health spa. I know you're probably asking, "Well, why not simply race on real bicycles instead?" The answer is simple, convenience. The people and equipment are already setup, and I don't have to maintain a $1K+ street bicycle.

    Anybody know of anything similar setup around where they live?

  16. Re:And this is new? by angst_ridden_hipster · · Score: 5, Funny

    Beta tester? That's the *last* thing you want to be.

    Bug Report 1821: Evidently problem with voltage regulator. Went into high gear, and received 3rd degree burns.

    Bug Report 1822: Need to improve quality control at molding department. Metal support wire occasionally pokes through soft rubber parts.

    Bug Report 1823: When movie-controller BSODs, evidently the pressure system gets locked on "Maximum". ...

    --
    Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani?
    www.fogbound.net