Real floor for virtual reality

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYsvB2y2Ero]

Following the introduction of exhibits. Robot Watch like the first, and with a robot named “Robot tile”. Was introduced in August 2004, the laboratories belonging to Mr. Iwata, Shingo Tateyama said was responsible for the middle of Yuta and his students. And direction of movement of the whole floor to move the upper and lower elevating autonomic features (tiles) in the robot, several (the 4-6 plane) used to take with you. Currently, online RPG and “second Live”, 3D has become a commonplace communication tool and a high sense of virtual games. However, only move the character to still use the mouse or keyboard, but unfortunately the taste is difficult to feel that the virtual hard. This has been developed as a mechanism to navigate through the virtual space can actually walk on his feet, that a robot tile.

“One of the big problems facing VR is the issue of mobility — how do you allow users unrestricted movement in virtual reality, while keeping them relatively static in real reality?

Omni-directional treadmills have been tried in the past, and now researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan have developed something called CirculaFloor. The system uses four robotic tiles that constantly shift position, ensuring that there’s always a tile in the direction you’re headed.

Additionally, the entire assembly moves slowly backwards, giving one the impression of movement while they’re actually standing relatively still. The tiles also incorporate lifts, for simulating staircases and the like.”

via Robotwatch (google translated)