[REQ] VirtuSphere

Post by **sharky** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:18 pm

Hi guys! i saw Virtushphere on tv some minutes ago! its really cool but it is too expensive (they said on tv that it costs more than 20 000 $!) and it is not for sale for privates!

i would like to know if somebody had an idea how to create something similar in the result but different in how it works. different 3 reasons.
1) way to big for any normal ouse
2) impossible for privates to build
3) protected by patent

give a check to the movies:

www.VirtuSphere.com

every idea is apreciated!

thank you

bye
sharky

Post by **Neil** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:02 pm

Maybe a safe treadmill or exercise bike?

Neil

Post by **sharky** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:05 am

yeah.. treadmill was what i also thought.. but there are 2 problems. the first one is that you cant change you direction. the second one is that the treadmill gives YOU the speed and not viceversa.

what about the freewalker (http://www.giordanoshop.it/foto/2461824352006.jpg) to solve the second prolem? maybe with some sensors you can get the speed of the steps and convert it in a usable signal. and for the change of direction i don't know... could for example be done with 2 wires attached to the body going forward wich can get the direction om turning of your body... what do you think?

sharky

Post by **DelTorres** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:55 am

I came up with only two ideas other than this sphere.
- Hanging Exoskeletton with tons of force feedback motors and sensors. Just an idea, surely to complex and expensive ^^
- Shitload of small metal spheres on a plate in fixed positions. They should not be too easy going. Like walking on a trackball.

Btw I think that Virtuasphere should have at least a radius of 5 meters! So you could lay down aswell comfortable. With 5 meter radius a 2 meter man would only experience 10cm height difference between leg/head and the center of his body.
But then one would need a 10m+ high room *g*

Post by **crim3** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:46 am

Omnidirectional treadmill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQw1tsgrJOs

I know this is even more expensive, and lot of people may have seen it already, but is worth seeing.

Post by **DelTorres** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:34 am

crim3 wrote:Omnidirectional treadmill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQw1tsgrJOs

I know this is even more expensive, and lot of people may have seen it already, but is worth seeing.

As far as I understand, this works due to the rope attached? That will pull you back to the middle - with the floor moving?

Well anyways. Another idea from me:
- Invent shoes with balls in the center of the bottom. That means the shoe will only be able to roll if absolutely centered - no roll or nick - to keep grip.
- Attach expanders from 8 directions to the person. Those should be mounted at an ring, that is fixed to the person, and be able to move around 360 deg.

If the person does a step with one leg the expanders at the back will pull the person back as soon the "roll state" of the shoe is matched.

Post by **crim3** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:32 pm

DelTorres wrote:As far as I understand, this works due to the rope attached? That will pull you back to the middle - with the floor moving?

The rope is for security. This treadmill is made of sections, each one is a treadmill on its own.

Another one, robotic shoes:
http://technology.newscientist.com/arti ... news_rss20
This one seems to be abandoned. The university developing it doesn't have the web page about it anymore (I think) , but they have an omnidirectionial treadmill project of their own. The video shows how it works very well:
http://intron.kz.tsukuba.ac.jp/torustre ... ill_e.html

Post by **LukePC1** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:50 pm

But if you fake movement your body should notice. It would detect, that the forces are not correct - because you are not realy getting faster compared to earth and the gravity. I bet your body would notice... Maybe you could adjust it with tilting the 'ground' so that it feels like you are accelerating or 'breaking'...