Gamification and Treadmill
Industrial planning—a piece of cake? Hardly. Nevertheless, everyday planning and computer games are becoming increasingly intertwined due to what’s known as gamification. The term refers to the use of game-like elements and mechanisms in non-gaming contexts. When integrated into planning applications, these elements help convey new or complex content in a relaxed manner. One example of this practice is multiplayer mode, in which several people play a game together at the same time. This principle has long since been adapted for planning tools, so that today entire project teams can meet in virtual 3D models.
However, there is still much room for improvement when it comes to immersion—that is, the experience of being fully engrossed in the virtual world. The typical use of VR applications via controllers does little to give the user the impression that they are moving naturally. However, a new innovation is increasingly breaking down the barriers between real-world movements and their realistic representation in virtual space: the treadmill.
Unlike with traditional VR applications, you can actually move without limits on a treadmill. With a little practice, even the smallest movements can be replicated thanks to special shoes and a combination of rollers and slides. Whether you’re running, turning around, or squatting: Everything is transferred one-to-one into the virtual space—which greatly enhances immersion.
Moving for Real in VR
On top of that, the new hardware solves another problem with VR technology: By being able to freely coordinate your head, body, and gaze—the field of view also appears more realistic and less restricted—allowing you to move in the virtual world “just like in real life,” which not only avoids “virtual collisions” but also greatly reduces the frequently occurring effects of motion sickness. Navigation via joystick or gestures is still possible, as is teleportation—that is, jumping from point to point—though this detracts from immersion. With realistic walking, as made possible by the treadmill, you can perceive significantly more details—in a practically natural way. Problem areas in a 3D model can then be fixed with just a few clicks, whereas in the finished building, heavy equipment is often required.
Currently, there are still very few treadmill manufacturers. Furthermore, their usability and software design still have room for improvement. It is to be hoped that manufacturers will step up their efforts, just as they did with the development of VR headsets.
