Electromagnetic locomotion platform for translation and total immersion

Abstract

The present invention, an Electromagnetic Locomotion Platform (ELP) system, is an electronically powered device which allows human-like activities to be performed in all three axes: x, y, & z, in a confined and localized a for the purpose of attaining total immersion (both visual and physical) into Virtual Environments. The ELP system allows humans the ability to walk, jog, run, crawl, etc. in a stationary position, thus the user can 'walk forever to nowhere', similar to the basic function of a treadmill. This feature can be enhanced by having the user wear a helmet mounted display (HMD) which is coupled to a computer generated Virtual Reality (VR) system. The VR system provides external environments to the HMD and when synchronized with the movements of the individual on the ELP, it displays visual changes in the surrounding environment according to the movements generated by the user. This is a system which then can totally immerse someone into a Virtual Environment by allowing body movement to dictate visual changes in the environment, yet keep the subject in essentially the same location. In addition to the visual immersion capability, the ELP also has the ability to physically immerse humans by generating and applying resistive forces which will cause the body to work, this energy expenditure replicates the physical loads experienced by the body in the real world.