An anti-slip footwear that can be used with an omnidirectional locomotion system or other virtual reality (VR) environment technology includes at least a sole layer and a rotatable traction portion. The sole layer includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface includes one or more friction reducing elements having a first coefficient of friction with a platform of an omnidirectional treadmill. The rotatable traction portion is rotatably coupled to the lower surface of the sole layer and has a first face and a second face opposite from the first face. The first face includes one or more friction pads each having a second coefficient of friction with the platform of the omnidirectional treadmill that is greater than the first coefficient of friction. The rotatable traction portion can be rotated to a first, low-friction position in which the second face makes contact with a ground surface. The rotatable traction portion can be rotated to a second, high-friction position in which the one or more friction pads make contact with the ground surface.

A motor driven omnidirectional treadmill that allows users to walk, jog, or run in any direct ion. When the treadmill is coupled with computer-generated immersive environments users can maneuver their way on-foot through 360-degree VR environments of infinite expanse and scope.

The invention concerns a treadmill system (10), comprising a treadmill (20) having a treadmill surface (22) provided for treading on by a user (B), wherein optical markers (30, 32, 34) are formed on the treadmill surface (22), a camera device having at least one camera (42), wherein the camera device (40) is configured for acquiring a temporal image sequence comprising a plurality of images of at least a part (24) of the treadmill surface (22) while capturing the markers (30, 32, 34), and a control device (50) configured for receiving the image sequence from the camera device (40), determining, based on the image sequence, at least a movement information of the user (B) locomoting on the treadmill (20) while treading on the treadmill surface (22), and executing a control function based on the movement information. Furthermore, the invention concerns a kit for upgrading a treadmill (20).

Repulsive force created by actuated permanent magnets is used to levitate and transport heavy loads. A bed of permanent magnets is selectively actuated to levitate an array of magnets positioned above the bed, such that the magnets in the levitated array are opposed to the actuated magnets, and of the same magnetic pole, thereby creating a repulsive force. The actuated magnets are vertically offset from magnets in the bed of permanent magnets that have not been raised, thereby imparting maximum levitation forces to the magnets in the levitated array. These systems can levitate and transport objects over level or sloped surfaces, in a straight path or along curves and corners. A bed of magnets can be attached to the floor, or to a set of moving decks that rearrange themselves in a desired path. Our systems can simulate walking or running, similar to a treadmill or virtual gaming platform.

A handrail assembly for a treadmill is provided. The handrail assembly includes: a base having a first side and a second side; a first portion extending from the first side of the base; a second portion extending from the second side of the base; and a member coupled to the first portion and the second portion, the member including at least one lower section and at least one upper section. The base defines at least one compartment. At least a part of the member is configured to receive a pushing force from a user during use of the treadmill.

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.

The present invention provides a running exercise equipment and a virtual reality interaction method thereof, in combination with virtual reality technology. The method includes: generating a virtual scene to the user based on the scene data; acquiring behavior data of a user when the user performs an action according to the virtual scene; generating scene update information based on the behavior data of the user, updating the scene data according to the scene update information; and controlling an action of the running exercise equipment according to the scene update information.

The present invention provides a running exercise equipment and a virtual reality interaction method thereof, in combination with virtual reality technology. The method includes: generating a virtual scene to the user based on the scene data; acquiring behavior data of a user when the user performs an action according to the virtual scene; generating scene update information based on the behavior data of the user, updating the scene data according to the scene update information; and controlling an action of the running exercise equipment according to the scene update information.

A Multisensory Simulation System comprises systems including: an Omni-Directional Treadmill (ODT), a Gravity Modification System (GMS), a Motion and gesture Tracking System (MTS), a Data Analytics System (DAS), a Visual Stimulation System (VSS), an Auditory Stimulation System (AUSS), an Operator Interface System (OIS), a User Harness System (UHS), a Tactile Stimulation System (TSS), an Atmospheric Simulation System (ATSS), a Neurological Stimulation System (NSS), an Olfactory Stimulation System (OSS), a Gustatory System Stimulation System (GSS), a User Monitoring System (UMS), a Controller, a Game Engine System (GES), database, a Communication Unit (CU), a User Safety System (USS), and a communication bus.

A modular floor with active tiles that utilize numerous friction or contact disks each with a raised segment or portion on their edges that together provide a planar contact surface for the active tile. Each disk is oriented at a fixed tilt angle to define which part of the disk's outer surfaces act as the raised portion, and each disk is oriented to position where the raised surface is located so as to define the direction that a supported object is moved over the modular floor. The drive system typically includes, for each disk assembly, a disk orienting mechanism along with a disk rotation mechanism to rotate the disk at a rotation rate about its central axis. The controller of the motion system operates the disk orienting mechanism to orient the disk so that a particular location on the disk behaves as the raised portion where an object is contacted.