Abstract: An anti-slip footwear that can be used with an omnidirectional locomotion system or other virtual reality (VR) environment technology includes at least a sole layer and a rotatable traction portion. The sole layer includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface includes one or more friction reducing elements having a first coefficient of friction with a platform of an omnidirectional treadmill. The rotatable traction portion is rotatably coupled to the lower surface of the sole layer and has a first face and a second face opposite from the first face. The first face includes one or more friction pads each having a second coefficient of friction with the platform of the omnidirectional treadmill that is greater than the first coefficient of friction. The rotatable traction portion can be rotated to a first, low-friction position in which the second face makes contact with a ground surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating a walkable 360-degree video or virtual reality (VR) environment. 360-degree video data is obtained for a real-world environment and comprises a plurality of chronologically ordered frames captured by traversing a first path through the real-world environment. One or more processing operations are applied to generate a processed 360-degree video, which can be displayed to a user of an omnidirectional treadmill. Locomotion information is received from one or more sensors of the omnidirectional treadmill, wherein the locomotion information is generated based on a physical movement on or within the omnidirectional treadmill. Using the received locomotion information, one or more playback commands for controlling playback of the processed 360-degree video are generated. One or more selected frames of the processed 360-degree video are rendered for presentation and display to the user, based on the one or more playback commands.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating a walkable 360-degree video or virtual reality (VR) environment. 360-degree video data is obtained for a real-world environment and comprises a plurality of chronologically ordered frames captured by traversing a first path through the real-world environment. One or more processing operations are applied to generate a processed 360-degree video, which can be displayed to a user of an omnidirectional treadmill. Locomotion information is received from one or more sensors of the omnidirectional treadmill, wherein the locomotion information is generated based on a physical movement on or within the omnidirectional treadmill. Using the received locomotion information, one or more playback commands for controlling playback of the processed 360-degree video are generated. One or more selected frames of the processed 360-degree video are rendered for presentation and display to the user, based on the one or more playback commands.

Abstract: An omnidirectional locomotion system that can be used with virtual reality (VR) environment technology includes at least a base portion, an articulating arm extending upward from a platform of the base portion, and a rotation mechanism rotatably coupling the base portion to the articulating arm. The platform of the base portion is configured to support a user and the articulating arm can include a harness support configured to attach to a harness worn by the user. The articulating arm comprises at least a first link, a second link, and a hinged joint coupled between the first link and the second link. The rotation mechanism can permit the articulating arm to rotate through 360-degrees around an outer circumference of the base portion; the hinged join can permit the articulating arm to translate horizontally or vertically with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating a walkable 360-degree video or virtual reality (VR) environment. 360-degree video data is obtained for a real-world environment and comprises a plurality of chronologically ordered frames captured by traversing a first path through the real-world environment. One or more processing operations are applied to generate a processed 360-degree video, which can be displayed to a user of an omnidirectional treadmill. Locomotion information is received from one or more sensors of the omnidirectional treadmill, wherein the locomotion information is generated based on a physical movement on or within the omnidirectional treadmill. Using the received locomotion information, one or more playback commands for controlling playback of the processed 360-degree video are generated. One or more selected frames of the processed 360-degree video are rendered for presentation and display to the user, based on the one or more playback commands.

Abstract: In a virtual reality environment a user's movements are coupled, meaning the user cannot walk and look in different directions. Discloses are methods and systems for soft decoupling the movements of the user in a virtual reality environment, enabling the user to look and walk in different directions simulating real-world interactions. The soft decoupling is performed by receiving acceleration and orientation data from sensors attached to the user. A heading and a heading delta based on a ratio are calculated. The calculated heading and a velocity are translated into soft decoupling inputs for the virtual reality environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating a walkable 360-degree video or virtual reality (VR) environment. 360-degree video data is obtained for a real-world environment and comprises a plurality of chronologically ordered frames captured by traversing a first path through the real-world environment. One or more processing operations are applied to generate a processed 360-degree video, which can be displayed to a user of an omnidirectional treadmill. Locomotion information is received from one or more sensors of the omnidirectional treadmill, wherein the locomotion information is generated based on a physical movement on or within the omnidirectional treadmill. Using the received locomotion information, one or more playback commands for controlling playback of the processed 360-degree video are generated. One or more selected frames of the processed 360-degree video are rendered for presentation and display to the user, based on the one or more playback commands.

Abstract: In a virtual reality environment a user's movements are coupled, meaning the user cannot walk and look in different directions. Discloses are methods and systems for soft decoupling the movements of the user in a virtual reality environment, enabling the user to look and walk in different directions simulating real-world interactions. The soft decoupling is performed by receiving acceleration and orientation data from sensors attached to the user. A heading and a heading delta based on a ratio are calculated. The calculated heading and a velocity are translated into soft decoupling inputs for the virtual reality environment.

Abstract: A locomotion system for use with a virtual environment technology includes a platform configured to support a user, a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and a safety harness configured to be worn by the user. The harness support assembly includes a support halo positioned above the platform and extending about a vertical central axis. The safety harness includes an interface structure moveably coupled to the support halo.

Abstract: A locomotion system for use with a virtual environment technology includes a platform configured to support a user, a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and a safety harness configured to be worn by the user. The harness support assembly includes a support halo positioned above the platform and extending about a vertical central axis. The safety harness includes an interface structure moveably coupled to the support halo.

Abstract: In a virtual reality environment a user's movements are coupled, meaning the user cannot walk and look in different directions. Discloses are methods and systems for soft decoupling the movements of the user in a virtual reality environment, enabling the user to look and walk in different directions simulating real-world interactions. The soft decoupling is performed by receiving acceleration and orientation data from sensors attached to the user. A heading and a heading delta based on a ratio are calculated. The calculated heading and a velocity are translated into soft decoupling inputs for the virtual reality environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are system, methods and non-transitory computer readable mediums for performance tracking, which can include an omnidirectional locomotion system (configured with one or more virtual reality games, omnidirectional treadmill and a sensor array), a leaderboard development interface; and a leaderboard creation GUI configured to create a leaderboard GUI. In some instances, the sensor array is attached to a user within the omnidirectional treadmill. In other instances, the sensor array is located on or within the omnidirectional treadmill.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating a walkable 360-degree video or virtual reality (VR) environment. 360-degree video data is obtained for a real-world environment and comprises a plurality of chronologically ordered frames captured by traversing a first path through the real-world environment. One or more processing operations are applied to generate a processed 360-degree video, which can be displayed to a user of an omnidirectional treadmill. Locomotion information is received from one or more sensors of the omnidirectional treadmill, wherein the locomotion information is generated based on a physical movement on or within the omnidirectional treadmill. Using the received locomotion information, one or more playback commands for controlling playback of the processed 360-degree video are generated. One or more selected frames of the processed 360-degree video are rendered for presentation and display to the user, based on the one or more playback commands.

Abstract: A virtual environment can use an absolute orientation framework. An absolute orientation framework in a virtual environment can be activated using an omnidirectional locomotion platform. An absolute orientation framework enables a user's avatar to move independently from the current viewpoint or camera position. The user's avatar can move in an absolute manner relative to a virtual environment map.

Abstract: In a virtual reality environment a user's movements are coupled, meaning the user cannot walk and look in different directions. Discloses are methods and systems for soft decoupling the movements of the user in a virtual reality environment, enabling the user to look and walk in different directions simulating real-world interactions. The soft decoupling is performed by receiving acceleration and orientation data from sensors attached to the user. A heading and a heading delta based on a ratio are calculated. The calculated heading and a velocity are translated into soft decoupling inputs for the virtual reality environment.

Abstract: In a virtual reality environment a user's movements are coupled, meaning the user cannot walk and look in different directions. Discloses are methods and systems for soft decoupling the movements of the user in a virtual reality environment, enabling the user to look and walk in different directions simulating real-world interactions. The soft decoupling is performed by receiving acceleration and orientation data from sensors attached to the user. A heading and a heading delta based on a ratio are calculated. The calculated heading and a velocity are translated into soft decoupling inputs for the virtual reality environment.

Abstract: A locomotion system for use with a virtual environment technology includes a platform configured to support a user, a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and a safety harness configured to be worn by the user. The harness support assembly includes a support halo positioned above the platform and extending about a vertical central axis. The safety harness includes an interface structure moveably coupled to the support halo.

Abstract: A virtual environment can use an absolute orientation framework. An absolute orientation framework in a virtual environment can be activated using an omnidirectional locomotion platform. An absolute orientation framework enables a user's avatar to move independently from the current viewpoint or camera position. The user's avatar can move in an absolute manner relative to a virtual environment map.