[Mark Dufour]’s TACO VR challenge is a type of robot platform that mimics an omnidirectional treadmill, and targets to offer a compact and simply portable approach to permit a consumer to stroll naturally in VR.
Unenthusiastic about maximum answers for permitting a consumer to stroll in VR, [Mark] took an absolutely other manner. The result’s a robot platform that matches inside of a small space whose aspects fold up for shipping; when packed up, it resembles a taco. When deployed, the speculation is to have two disc-like platforms all the time keep beneath a consumer’s ft, protecting the consumer in a single position whilst they another way stroll usually.
It’s an formidable challenge, however [Mark] is as much as the duty and the challenge’s GitHub respository has the whole thing had to keep up-to-the-minute, or get entangled your self. The {hardware} is basically excited by capability at this time; indubitably a fall or stumble whilst the use of the prototype appears adore it could be uncomfortable at the perfect, however the thought is cutting edge.
Locomotion problems as a complete are nonetheless no longer completely solved issues in VR. It’s an area wherein impressed hobbyists can completely experiment and innovate in a significant method. In spite of everything, the original locomotion device in Gorilla Tag — a VR multiplayer recreation wherein avid gamers are legless gorillas who transfer the use of handiest their fingers — is an unbelievable good fortune and was once the paintings of a unmarried impressed developer. There’s no doubt room for experimentation.
The TACO platform is a piece in growth, however the items are coming in combination. You’ll see a take a look at within the video beneath, wherein two inexperienced markers constitute a consumer’s ft. Watch the 2 platforms transfer and rotate as important to stick underneath the consumer’s (simulated) ft, that means a consumer may stroll usually, but no longer transfer anyplace.