A groundbreaking invention now allows you to explore the world from your living room, revolutionizing the way we experience virtual reality.
Forget about just using VR headsets; in 2024, it’s all about ‘treadmill shoes’.
This cutting-edge technology combines a VR headset with motorized shoes, enabling you to physically walk through a world of your creation.
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Developed by the UK-US startup Freeaim, these innovative shoes function like tiny wearable treadmills, as highlighted by Need To Know.
While wearing them, users can not only walk but also turn, jog slowly, fast walk, sidestep, crouch, and even walk backward.
However, the technology isn’t perfect yet—fast running and jumping remain out of reach.
The design features a grey base with blue padding, straps, and small wheels to ensure users stay in place while moving.
Freeaim founders Alex Evans and Ashley Foxcroft, who started the company in 2021, recommend using the accompanying swivel-castor frame, which straps around your waist to help maintain balance.
These shoes perform best on vinyl, rigid floors, and concrete but are incompatible with carpet, a common flooring in many British homes.
To address this, the company suggests using a floor mat if you lack smooth surfaces.
According to Freeaim, the shoes are compatible with any VR headset supported by SteamVR and will work with most PC-based VR games featuring walkable environments.
Co-founder Alex Evans has announced that a consumer model is expected to hit the market next year, priced around $1,000 (£770).
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