Virtual perambulator: a novel interface device for locomotion in virtual environment

Walkthrough simulation is effective for design and presentation of buildings or urban space. The paper presents a method of implementing a new interface device for locomotion in virtual space. The walker wears omni directional sliding devices on the feet, which generate the feel of walking while the position of the walker is fixed in the physical world. A hoop is set around the walker´s waist, by which the position of the walker is limited. The walker can freely change the direction of walking in the hoop. The scene of virtual space is displayed in a head mounted display, corresponding with the motion of the feet and head. Usability of the system is tested by 235 novice users at SIGGRAPH´95. 94% of the participants could walk freely around the virtual space