A set of prototype stationary bikes has been rigged up to a computer to allow riders to explore the online world, SecondLife. Sensors on the bikes read the velocity of the turning wheels and the direction of the handlebars, allowing the avatar to interact with the virtual world. There is even an "ET button"--think E.T, the movie--that lets the rider take flight.
Implications - The bikes are based on the models you would find at a gym or the ones you purchase for exercising at home. The makers are still working on other prototypes for the near future if consumers accept the idea. It is cool that you have the ability to exercise while playing your favorite computer game!
Real Exercise in a Virtual World
Stationary Bike Connected to SecondLife
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Exercise - Developing stationary bikes that allow riders to explore virtual worlds opens opportunities for immersive and interactive exercise experiences.
2. Gaming Fitness - Integrating fitness equipment with video games could allow consumers to get exercise while also enjoying their favorite games, disrupting traditional approaches to fitness.
3. Sensor-enhanced Equipment - Creating exercise equipment with sensors that track movements can enable users to interact with digital environments, providing new possibilities for immersive experiences and performance tracking.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - Integrating exercise equipment and video games could create a new category of gaming products that appeal to fitness enthusiasts and gamers alike.
2. Fitness Equipment - Developing sensor-enhanced equipment can provide fitness companies with the opportunity to offer high-tech solutions that track and gamify workouts.
3. Virtual Reality - Using stationary bikes to explore virtual worlds in real-time reveals opportunities for the fitness and gaming industries to develop immersive virtual reality experiences and applications.