Harness Mechanisms for Full-Body Motions in Virtual Environments

Natural motions such as twisting, turning, jogging in place, dropping to the knees or moving to a prone position are permitted by the virtual reality harness mechanisms presented in this poster. They constrain an immersed user within the field of view of a virtual locomotion sensing system. Unwanted rotational inertial loads felt by die user are minimized while compliant constraints provide natural feedback forces. These ergonomic forces enhance the experience of virtual motion by partially substituting for The missing real-world dynamic loads encountered in locomotion. They also aid the user in remaining centered in the field of view of the camera system by providing subtle, natural cues to the immersed user. Unlike some other virtual locomotion systems these passive harness devices have a stationary floor and are relatively low-cost, easy and natural to use. This makes them minimally intrusive on the process of learning the simulated task