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Virtuix Omni is a Step Toward True Virtual Reality Gaming (Video)
The Virtuix Omni "is an omnidirectional treadmill video game peripheral for virtual reality games currently in development by Virtuix," says Wikipedia. With this device and an Oculus Rift, Razer Hydra or a similar "immersive" headset, you can play games equipped to use these devices with your whole body moving in any direction you choose. If you think you saw this product on the Shark Tank TV show or a pitch for it at Kickstarter.com, you're right. You did. The Virtuix Omni people have been pushing their product hard, everywhere they can. Tim ran into their product manager, Colton Jacobs, at the recent AppsWorld conference in London. This video is Tim's record of their conversation.
Notice how little force they need and how easily their feet slip. This is a good thing. The problem with a treadmill is that you need to move this bulky rubber band around underneath you. It weighs a lot, as well. If you power a treadmill and use sensors to avoid using human power to move it, your power budget just went through the roof. Not to mention the need to spin the treadmill so the player doesn't walk off of it. Additionally, you're looking at moving parts subject to high wear and tear, versus this, which is mostly solid-state. I'd say this is a pretty inventive way of tackling the problem domain.
You speak only for the stereotypical overweight gamer. Some of us keep fit and look for opportunities to be active while gaming.
Going for a serious hike while playing a PC game would be an excellent next step beyond what the Wii and 360+Kinect offer. You miss out on how great it can feel to simply be alive and healthy if you let your body go like so many foolish people do.