That’s just one of the reasons that Disney’s newest invention will probably never see a consumer release.
Last week, Disney teased a new invention from Inventors Hall of Fame inductee Lanny Smoot.
It’s a treadmill-like gear called the HoloTile that can be embedded into the floor.
It allows users to walk in any direction without moving off the pad.
It can also move objects around the surface.
The gadget can also work with multiple people moving in different directions independently.
Smoot showed how HoloTiles could also move objects.
At one point, the floor slid its inventor around on a chair like he weighed nothing.
Such functionality proves possible applications as a mode of transport.
For example, it could move props on or off a stage or replace airport belt conveyors.
The company will more likely utilize the flooring exclusively in Disney Parks attractions.
However, Smoot sounded confident that it would eventually reach commercial buyers.
HoloTile is not the first treadmill looking to provide a more immersive (and tiring) VR experience.
A company called Virtuix has beenproducingomnidirectional treadmills since at least 2013.
Its latest iteration, Omni One,launchedin 2021.
Unfortunately, as with most niche products like this, their sky-high price points hamper consumer buy-in.
Another drawback is they don’t work with just any VR title.
Developers must program their games to take advantage of these locomotion systems.
Disney’s is not likely to be any different.
