Exercise in a 3D Virtual World?

Interested in riding a real life exercise bike in an immersive 3D virtual world? This ability may not be too far off in the future.

Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology in New Zealand have designed an IT gaming program which coupled with a stationary exercise bike allows a biker to interact/control a virtual setting.

The gaming program uses two Nintendo Wii remote controls - one attached to the rider's leg, and another receiving a signal from an infra-red light on the rider's helmet.

The signal controls the "virtual setting", providing users with the feeling of cycling through the backdrop of their choice.

Source: tvnz.co.nz

The research team hopes to take the system one step further by displaying the images using video goggles, instead of projected onto a screen, providing a much better virtual experience.

3Dwalkthroughs.com predicts that in the near future the ability to better control real time interaction within 3D Virtual Worlds such as Second Life will lead to the launch of virtual health club.

We will also be able to promote that along with one of our custom 3D walkthroughs effectively showing a property before it is built, it will also help to burn calories...yes we are joking about this one.