VR Treadmill to match headsets

OhhPaigey

So I just seen this on Facebook, it seems like a lot of VR stuff is coming out, besides the headsets that we're seeing.

Here's a video showing off a treadmill that's supposed to go hand in hand with VR headsets.

https://www.facebook.com/UNILADTech/videos/1687181918226189/

I haven't seen a price, I'm assuming it's going to cost thousands of dollars. It's big, clunky, and what about using that while wearing a VR headset, isn't there going to be wires in the way constantly? And do people want to run around on a treadmill with a big VR headset on their head after a days work?

With that being said, there's some positives too, health wise, being active and gaming is a good thing for some people, maybe if you work an office job or something that isn't physically draining this might be pretty fun.

What do you think? How many more VR "things" are going to see pop up, besides the headsets? And is this VR craze actually going to catch on this time?

jrgethen

id be all over this and i do physical work daily, 

Rhygarth

One of the most stupid peripherals i have seen, if i want to walk round a room as if its real life i can just get out my chair, most games have you running/jumping so how would that work and you not be a sweety mess ?

great as a workout machine but i cant see it doing anything for gaming.

Asm0deus

I can imagine all the funny videos showing people take a dive off that and breaking a leg...lol

Coman

The virtuix Omni does seem a bit more pratical and more compact. In a few years I hope the technology is a bit more developed and cheaper. I do want one. Seems to be a fun way to do a workout.

I would not be suprised to see these things in a lot of gyms! A whole VR set, and not just for threadmills either. Also for cycling, rowing, etc. A threadmill just gives you more options.

Also sporting events with stuff like this. Could actually be fun to watch.

filmoret

I'm picturing using this to fight a dragon and holding a fake sword.  Or using this to fight other people who are also using the same thing.  Boxing, baseball  the possibilities are endless for an athlete after high school.  Imagine the dragon breathing fire at you or swinging his tail and you physically have to move to get out of the way.  You'd have physically fit gamers for sure.

Phaserlight

I am hyped for VR, but I can't really see myself using a treadmill.  That thing is a piece of furniture.

Part of the problem is I'm not sure what "walking" or "running" in VR would do without performing the analog in real life; it may be one of those motion-sickness-inducing things.  Treadmills certainly are an interesting solution to this, albeit one I probably wouldn't consider for at least a decade, then only if necessary and if VR really, really takes off.

At this point, I would be satisfied with a headset that grants an immersive 6DoF perspective within a digital space on which I can play my favorite game, and maybe a few other experiences, while also granting the possibility of as-yet-unforeseen productivity and networking tools.

Senyun

Personally I am all for having to be in shape in order to compete long term and real human skills and strengths making a difference in combat that is just me. Not sure what human doesn't want to be fit and healthy even if you don't bother going to the gym I am sure most like/want to be healthy.

Though I think the one shown here seems a little large and impracticable. To me in the future these kind of systems would add a lot to the survivor horror, shooters, fp action games etc. genre with VR gear if you actually had to duck and hide, run, look over your shoulder and around corners and things like that where your own stamina and speed, body positioning, etc came into play.

Not saying its gonna happen tomorrow, but it is good to see the tech heading that way. Though the whole industry could crash and burn before it happens.

I'd easily save up and pay a few grand for a true, full VR experience (not just the silly headsets), but that is just me.

SEANMCAD

OhhPaigey said:

So I just seen this on Facebook, it seems like a lot of VR stuff is coming out, besides the headsets that we're seeing.

Here's a video showing off a treadmill that's supposed to go hand in hand with VR headsets.

https://www.facebook.com/UNILADTech/videos/1687181918226189/

I haven't seen a price, I'm assuming it's going to cost thousands of dollars. It's big, clunky, and what about using that while wearing a VR headset, isn't there going to be wires in the way constantly? And do people want to run around on a treadmill with a big VR headset on their head after a days work?

With that being said, there's some positives too, health wise, being active and gaming is a good thing for some people, maybe if you work an office job or something that isn't physically draining this might be pretty fun.

What do you think? How many more VR "things" are going to see pop up, besides the headsets? And is this VR craze actually going to catch on this time?

I think VR hardware peripherals is highly risky. Its a hassle enough for me to unplug my speakers and to plug in my headphones, let alone getting setup with hardware with 1.5 billion USB cords to deal with.
 

and this is coming from a VR fanboy

d_20

Almost time.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CGjhRIveKjs/UF4Fw4iLYvI/AAAAAAAADZg/sgXbqhlTyM8/s1600/matrix-cocoons.jpg

filmoret

I was thinking about the headset and I believe for something like this they would have to go with a full blown helmet.  If you are going to be physical lets face it a pair of glasses doesn't work.  People can play football with a helmet I can play a vr physical game with one as well without any troubles.  Wireless controllers and wireless headset would be ideal but not directly available of course.  You could even make this thing like placing a projection in front of you instead of headset.  Then you would just need to face it towards a wall for the projection of course.

filmoret

I got this from the comments under the link its good idea.

imagine this in everyone's home, but instead of clear walls it has screens, so you're like encased in four walls that are big screens, so you can walk around in this 360° virtual world.

SEANMCAD

filmoret saidI got this from the comments under the link its good idea.

imagine this in everyone's home, but instead of clear walls it has screens, so you're like encased in four walls that are big screens, so you can walk around in this 360° virtual world.

here is the main problem with screns on every wall.

you cant reach out and pick up something.....you can in VR. Anything in this world that is closer to you than the screen you cant interact within a way that your brain understands geometry (aka you can pick up that chair but the chair is 12' from you?

Righteous_Rock

this is awesome and gives me an idea, thanks Paigey

Adjuvant1

huh. At what point will people realize, fascinated with this idea, they could be spending half the time doing legitimate exercise, then take over the world as an organization of super-fit problem-solving specialists with leet no-scope reflexes. We're wasting our time on this, when we could be a delta force illuminati.

Pepeq

Remember this... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_Ei8rives

Racing Across Azeroth In Real Life.

IMHO, such things are distractions... you go to a gym and watch TV, you might as well be at home watching TV because you aren't focused on the activity, thus getting a lesser workout than you should.  Real workouts require focus.

And the best way to see the world is to actually go out and see it.  The real hike is outside... not in your head.

SEANMCAD

Pepeq said:

Remember this... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_Ei8rives

Racing Across Azeroth In Real Life.

IMHO, such things are distractions... you go to a gym and watch TV, you might as well be at home watching TV because you aren't focused on the activity, thus getting a lesser workout than you should.  Real workouts require focus.

And the best way to see the world is to actually go out and see it.  The real hike is outside... not in your head.

to my very core of my bones I could not disagree more.

your first observation is a direct contradiction to your second.

So instead of going to the gym to watch tv should I be at home or going outside?

outside of course, which is by the way a distraction

Pepeq

SEANMCAD said:

Pepeq said:

Remember this... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_Ei8rives

Racing Across Azeroth In Real Life.

IMHO, such things are distractions... you go to a gym and watch TV, you might as well be at home watching TV because you aren't focused on the activity, thus getting a lesser workout than you should.  Real workouts require focus.

And the best way to see the world is to actually go out and see it.  The real hike is outside... not in your head.

to my very core of my bones I could not disagree more.

your first observation is a direct contradiction to your second.

So instead of going to the gym to watch tv should I be at home or going outside?

outside of course, which is by the way a distraction

And just what was my first observation?  I posted a link about someone tying game movement to a video game using a treadmill.  What did I say with it exactly?  Another stupid idea amongst the sea of stupid ideas out there?

Anyone looking to replace real life with a video game (or VR) is missing out on the very best part of life.  Just as watching TV while you work out lessens the workout.  You want to experience a hike, go outside and start hiking.  Doing it inside a VR headset is watching TV.  You're not going to get any more real than real life... VR is at best a poor copy.

SEANMCAD

Pepeq said:

SEANMCAD said:

Pepeq said:

Remember this... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_Ei8rives

Racing Across Azeroth In Real Life.

IMHO, such things are distractions... you go to a gym and watch TV, you might as well be at home watching TV because you aren't focused on the activity, thus getting a lesser workout than you should.  Real workouts require focus.

And the best way to see the world is to actually go out and see it.  The real hike is outside... not in your head.

to my very core of my bones I could not disagree more.

your first observation is a direct contradiction to your second.

So instead of going to the gym to watch tv should I be at home or going outside?

outside of course, which is by the way a distraction

And just what was my first observation?  I posted a link about someone tying game movement to a video game using a treadmill.  What did I say with it exactly?  Another stupid idea amongst the sea of stupid ideas out there?

Anyone looking to replace real life with a video game (or VR) is missing out on the very best part of life.  Just as watching TV while you work out lessens the workout.  You want to experience a hike, go outside and start hiking.  Doing it inside a VR headset is watching TV.  You're not going to get any more real than real life... VR is at best a poor copy.

your first observation is that people should not work out at the gym so that they can watch tv intead they should do it at home with less distraction.

THEN you say people should workout outside...welll which is it?

I personally think people should NOT workout at home while staring at a wall thinking of nothing other than their pace. I think they should workout outside where there is plenty of .....wait for it....distraction.

TO YOUR OTHER POINT
Walking and running simulators will very likely be the least popular VR and I personally have no interest in such games. I do however have an interest in seeing places that would take me weeks of travel and thousands of dollars to see otherwise, I would like to do things that otherwise would take months to master and run the risk of death. I would like to jump out of a airplane, see places I cant afford to go see, I want to walk on the moon, fix something on a spacestation and even look inside an RV to get a better idea of space without having to drive to an RV dealer and have a dealer looking over my sholder asking me when do I think I want to buy,

you flat out do not get it,

Coman

Pepeq said:

Remember this... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_Ei8rives

Racing Across Azeroth In Real Life.

IMHO, such things are distractions... you go to a gym and watch TV, you might as well be at home watching TV because you aren't focused on the activity, thus getting a lesser workout than you should.  Real workouts require focus.

And the best way to see the world is to actually go out and see it.  The real hike is outside... not in your head.

Maybe if you are working out to get a six-pack this could be a problem, but people who would do this, do this to get entertained.........

wanna bet it will then get some 'clever' name like "entertraining" or something ><

MrSnuffles

People that would buy something like this will buy it because they think it's a great idea to get some workout done while playing games. They know they never get in shape but this would kill 2 birds with one stone. After a few sessions getting out of breath they will never use this thing again because it's way to exhausting to still be entertainment and much easier to sit on your ass.

People that want to get fit will ride their bicycle to work every day or go running and the gym twice a week. They don't need this to pretend they want to get fit.

This is one of those fitness gadgets that ends up in the corner after a month or two.

FlyByKnight

Monitor Goggles, using hands, and having treadmills while gaming is either going to result in a stark positive shift in the health and appearance of the stereotypical PC gamer or...

Phry

DMKano said:

There are better solutions than this tradmill.

Check this out:

http://www.gizmag.com/kat-walk-omnidirectional-vr-treadmill/38901/

Treadmills just seem a bit of a dangerous option, when combined with a VR headset at least, if people want to do something like that, they'd probably be better off with a dance mat attachment, cheaper, safer, and you get the exercise.

Phry

DMKano said:

Phry said:

DMKano said:

There are better solutions than this tradmill.

Check this out:

http://www.gizmag.com/kat-walk-omnidirectional-vr-treadmill/38901/

Treadmills just seem a bit of a dangerous option, when combined with a VR headset at least, if people want to do something like that, they'd probably be better off with a dance mat attachment, cheaper, safer, and you get the exercise.

Exactly - which is why being thethered like on the one I linked to is a superior option you can't fall and get hurt like you can on the one OP linked.

I don't disagree, on the other hand, it doesn't fold away conveniently when not in use, most peoples living rooms etc. spend most of the time being living rooms and not, 'game centers'
Besides, standing on that thing i'd be tempted to say 'beam me up Scotty'

Kiyoris

what could possibly go wrong wearing a helmet on a moving platform

Phry

Kiyoris said:

what could possibly go wrong wearing a helmet on a moving platform

it is kind of asking for trouble, if people want to run while using a headset, then maybe they need to consider the Wii option, people have been running/jogging using a Wii on the Wii fit for years now, no treadmill required.