# Omni-Directional Treadmills The Cybercarpet by CyberWalk Brings Virtual Reality Closer to Reality By Marissa Liu | Published 2009-11-12 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omni-directional-treadmill References: [gajitz](http://gajitz.com/virtual-insanity-vr-treadmill-goes-in-every-direction/) & [cyberwalk-project.org](http://www.cyberwalk-project.org/) The Cybercarpet by CyberWalk is an omni-directional treadmill and a unique use of virtual reality. Cyberwalk is a European research project concentrating on allowing virtual reality users to physically walk through virtual environments in a natural way. To this end CyberWalk has created an omni-directional treadmill called CyberCarpet. Walking straight ahead at all times, such as on a traditional treadmill, doesn’t allow for full immersion into a virtual world. Small, densely packed balls are located under the walking surface and react to the friction created by the user’s moving feet and this action makes the omni-directional treadmill possible. Starting and stopping are still a bit of an issue, but the Cybercarpet is already being tested by a few lucky individuals who get to [walk through ancient worlds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-explorers). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Omni-directional Treadmills:** The use of omni-directional treadmills in virtual reality experiences is a disruptive innovation opportunity that can increase the level of immersiveness in virtual reality gaming and exercise. - **Virtual Reality:** The advancement of virtual reality technology with the use of omni-directional treadmills presents a disruptive innovation opportunity that can revolutionize the gaming and entertainment industry. - **Cybercarpet:** The development of Cybercarpet, an omni-directional treadmill that allows physical walking through virtual environments, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity that can enhance the experience of virtual reality tours and simulations for educational and training purposes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Gaming:** The use of omni-directional treadmills in virtual reality gaming presents a disruptive innovation opportunity that can create a more immersive and interactive gaming experience. - **Fitness:** The incorporation of omni-directional treadmills in fitness equipment presents a disruptive innovation opportunity that can provide a fun and engaging way of exercising. - **Education:** The use of Cybercarpet, an omni-directional treadmill that allows physical walking through virtual environments, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity that can enhance the experience of virtual reality tours and simulations for educational and training purposes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Versatile Omnidirectional Floors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holotile.md) - [Action-Packed VR Treadmills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kat-walk-c2.md) - [Metaverse-Ready Locomotive Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kat-loco.md) - [Full-Body-Tracking VR Rigs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omni-one-core.md) - [Haptic VR Walking Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ekto-one-boots.md) - [Cyberpunk VR Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ekto-vr.md) - [Tech-Forward Compact Treadmills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-treadmill.md) - [AI-Powered Home Treadmills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spacewalk-5l.md) - [Smart Home Fitness Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merach.md)