The implementation of a novel walking interface within an immersive display

Abstract

Locomotion interfaces pose a large challenge for designers of immersive virtual environments. While treadmills and other actuated interfaces can be integrated with spatial displays or head-mounted displays, they are expensive or they constrain walking to one direction. In this technical note we demonstrate the integration of a passive walking interface integrated with a CAVE™-like display. The Wizdish is a new concept for walking interfaces. Users wear low-friction shoes and “walk” on a dish-shaped apparatus. By tracking the feet and integrating a redirection algorithm we have constructed a locomotion interface that reproduces some aspects of walking whilst removing the need for the user to operate any hand-held controller.