Omnidirectional Motion Platform for VR Immersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treadmills restrict users' ability to move freely in all directions, hindering the virtual reality experience by limiting movement to a single axis, which is not compatible with the omnidirectional motion required in virtual reality and augmented reality applications.
Innovation Solution
An omnidirectional motion apparatus comprising an omnidirectional motion platform, a pace detector, and a data processor that decomposes the user's pace into speeds along multiple directions, using movable members to translocate the user in a way that maintains their position at the center of the platform, allowing movement in any direction and speed, by alternately driving first and second movable members along perpendicular directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional treadmill is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user cannot move freely in all directions, limiting movement to a single axis
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill platform is segmented into multiple independent movable members (first movable members and second movable members) that can move along different directions. Each movable member is controlled independently to achieve omnidirectional movement capabilities while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-axis linear movement to two-dimensional omnidirectional movement by introducing movable members that operate along perpendicular directions (first direction and second direction), enabling movement in any direction on the platform surface
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple movable members are used to enable omnidirectional motion, then movement freedom in all directions is achieved, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A pace detector detects the user's movement pace and provides feedback to the control system. The controller processes this feedback information and adjusts the movable members accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that simplifies the control complexity by using real-time feedback rather than complex open-loop control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed as a universal control unit that handles multiple functions: detecting pace, decomposing movement into directional components, and controlling multiple types of movable members (first and second movable members) along different directions, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user moves in any direction at different speeds, then the virtual reality experience is enhanced, but maintaining the user's position at the center of the platform becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pace detector continuously monitors the user's movement and provides real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism automatically adjusts the movable members to counteract user movement and maintain central positioning, making position maintenance easy despite variable movement speeds and directions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of controlling the user's movement directly, the system inverts the approach by controlling the platform (movable members) to move in the opposite direction of the user's movement. This maintains the user's apparent position at the center while allowing free movement in any direction at varying speeds
Data Source
AI summary
A method of realizing an omnidirectional motion includes: detecting a pace of an object moving over an omnidirectional motion platform; decomposing the pace of the object into speeds along at least two directions; and driving at least two pluralities of movable members, based on the speeds along the at least two directions, to translocate the object along one of the at least two directions and in a direction opposite to a corresponding speed of the pace of the object such that the object remains at a substantially same place over the omnidirectional motion platform. An omnidirectional motion apparatus includes an omnidirectional motion platform, and a pace detector and a data processor.