VR headsets have become the most immersive form of gameplay in the industry. They allow the sights and sounds of a video game to surround the player entirely. But what about feeling the game?
That’s where the Seilroboter (“Cable Robot Simulator”) comes in.
Looking very much like a NASA test or a carnival ride, Cable Robot Simulator is a prototype motion simulator created by the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics. The device, created for the 2015 Driving Simulation Conference and Exhibition, creates a realistic and fluid feeling of movement.
Each of the eight cables are driven by a motor that allows for quick, responsive movements. The prototype is pre-programmed not to smash against the walls, so don’t worry about that.
With a rapidly growing VR market, peripherals are sure to be released in massive quantities over the next decade. Only time will tell which will ultimately be the most useful or the most successful for VR gaming.
Though it may be a long time before we see this technology used in game demos and even longer to see it adapted for in-home use, it would be fun to see Seilroboter testing rooms set up inside gaming conventions or larger arcade franchises.
