Skip to main content
Attreyu
Up and Coming
May 25, 2013

Viiwok - Virtual treadmill & reality simulator.

Hi all, I'm a young systems engineer from Spain with a passion for architecture, topography, surveilling, photogrammetry and gaming.

In about 2 weeks I'll be launching an IndieGogo campaign (I'm european so I can't submit projects for KickStarter) for a similar product, a treadmill simulator that would have the added advantage that all the sensors would be built in (walking, turning, jumping, crouching) at 120 Hz response frequency (basically zero latency/lag, the same you have from using a keyboard/mouse combo).

You wouldn't need a Kinect or a Hydra at an added cost and you wouldn't need to wear those Virtuix special shoes to be able to slide, like in the Virtuix or the cvasi-walk like with the WizDish. You'd be able to crouch properly, instead of bending. You'd be able to sit down when you get tired after all that moving around.

The system is natively compatible with any platform - Windows, Mac OSX and Linux are supported out of the box, no special drivers needed, you plug it in and it's set to go. And most of all, the price would be around 250€.

The concept is orientated towards virtual exploration and tourism (real monuments, historic sites and other places of interest modeled and rendered using powerful gaming engines like the CryEngine) but FPS gamers would find it quite tight in addition to the Oculus, whenever the latter will be launched. Until then, players would be able to shoot ahead without an Oculus, using a normal monitor screen or a HDTV, since everything would be motion ready and fitted with all the necesary sensors.

Stay tuned for more details.

Youtube demos to follow and other details on http://www.viiwok.com during the next few weeks.

    104 replies

    Show previous replies
    AttreyuAuthor
    Up and Coming
    August 10, 2013
    Something like that. The wheels alone can't compensate fully for the forward pushing tendency which is in place transmitted to the frame. This is the reason why you always need a harness or tight support of some sort.
    In the case of the Viiwok Deva, because the frame is light and somehow tall, I needed to find a solution to keep the whole assembly from tipping over with your ass inside.
    And I did. To be presented later.
    ViiWok
    Tgaud
    Up and Coming
    August 10, 2013
    great news.!
    AttreyuAuthor
    Up and Coming
    August 29, 2013
    I am approaching the end of the initial development process. The prototype is functional and I will have the first demo video ready by Monday. After the official launch, in early September, I will concentrate on the final consumer-ready design (smaller, in plastic, with integrated sensors).

    I have updated the site, too: http://www.viiwok.com/ - it will be updated constantly beginning Monday, also.

    Thanks for all the moral support and advices given during these months !
    ViiWok
    JohnF30
    Participant
    August 30, 2013
    excellent!
    DeadlyJoe
    Up and Coming
    August 30, 2013
    I'm looking forward to seeing the demo video.
    Tgaud
    Up and Coming
    August 30, 2013
    Hello,

    I was looking the wheel under the shoes, and i dont see "balls", but "wheels".

    This, will prevent any lateral movment from feet.
    How are you supposed to simulate a lateral move, if the shoes doesn't "glide" on the surface, lateraly?
    AttreyuAuthor
    Up and Coming
    August 30, 2013
    I have two model shoes, the other ones are with omni directional balls, instead of wheels.

    I have decided on the wheels for stability, because the balls don't offer stability as much as I would find safe.

    More, I'm personally against using lateral sliding, you don't strafe in real life, so I find it silly for implementing realistic movement. If you really need to move laterally, you can side step very easy.
    ViiWok
    Tgaud
    Up and Coming
    August 30, 2013
    Well, if you're playing paintball, you do have lateral movement.
    its not "STRAFING", but its somewhat close.

    The "secure" aspect should come from the structure, not from the shoes.
    imho

    Anyway i'm doing thoses critics in order to have a really convincing final model.
    Dont get stuck on the "first aspect" of my posts ;)
    AttreyuAuthor
    Up and Coming
    August 30, 2013
    If you're playing paintball, you side-step laterally. Which is possible with the shoes.
    The safe issue has nothing to do with the structure, but with the stupidness of gliding in real life. You don't glide laterally in real life for a reason, it's very easy to tumble around and you have very little control of your feet.

    As I said, straffing or gliding laterally is something I won't support. If you wish to move laterally, you can side-step in that direction, like you would in real life.
    ViiWok
    Tgaud
    Up and Coming
    August 30, 2013
    how do you side step laterally with wheels ?
    the movement has to always be from the top of your shoes, to the back.

    I'm concerned about wheels safety.
    They'll procure some lateral "grip".
    So if the user try to do a lateral step, he will effectively move (because of the grip), instead of sliding his feets., and i dont think the support will be enough to keep the user in the middle in such case.
    Show more replies
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement