Inside Look at 3DRudder, Feet-Controlled Navigation Device Headed to CES 2015
And although it’s intended to be used while seated, the fairly compact USB device introduces a novel way of navigating 3D environments that could help bridge the divide between passive gaming and the ultimate ideal of full-body tracking in VR.
The 3DRudder is meant to entirely replace the mouse/joystick/WASD paradigm, and utilizes its flat top and rounded ‘weeble wobble’ base so the user can position their weight in any direction, allowing for 3D navigation through a virtual environment. Walking is as simple as lightly tilting the weight of both feet in the intended direction of travel: forward for forward and right for right etc.—to run, you just shift your weight a little more. Turning (yawing) is equally as simple, requiring the user to pivot the device, which we’re hoping doesn’t lead to any uncomfortable positions considering many of us sit in wheely office chairs that could negatively impact its usability.
The device also boasts several other degrees of freedom including up/down elevation and pitch (nosing up or down) and is probably where the ‘rudder’ part comes in.
See the full story here: http://www.roadtovr.com/new-feet-controlled-navigation-motion-controller-heading-ces-2015-3drudder-device-preview/
