VirtuSphere Immersive Virtual Reality

mhzse writes "VirtuSphere provides a mechanical basis for truly immersive virtual reality environments, permitting the user to move about in virtual space by simply walking. The device consists of a large hollow sphere which is mounted on a specially designed platform that allows the sphere to rotate freely as the user walks in any direction. The user wears a head-mounted display, which provides the virtual environment.

Comments

Not great for VR Gaming

[Kainaw]

I've tried this setup twice in the past. It always feels like you are walking up an incline. To make it feel flat, the sphere has to be huge. As it is, the weight of the sphere is difficult to start moving and difficult to stop moving. What is required for a real-life VR environment is a flexible sphere that allows a flat surface for the user to walk on and power-assisted rotation to make it start and stop easily.

Re:I've always wondered how the holodeck worked.

[kcb93x]

Actually, the holodeck was a combination of light tricks and tractor beams, AND replicators - physical items would actually be replicated, whereas "living" things weren't quite so "physical" IIRC.