Virtual reality offers different levels of immersion, but all of them fall short of a key detail: the experience is not complete if the user holds a traditional controller. The 3DRudder is a curious device designed to replace the classic joystick, using your feet instead of a thumb.
A Different Kind of Control
One of the first things people do when they put on an Oculus Rift and enter virtual reality is look for their hands. There is nothing wrong with that, as it's a natural reaction. However, it reminds us that the role of the Oculus Rift and other virtual headsets is similar to that of any screen. When it comes to moving around, the player still depends on conventional controls like the keyboard and mouse, or the joystick and triggers of a pad. In the past we've seen compelling examples of treadmills that adapt perfectly to virtual headsets, but we are still waiting for final versions to reach the market. Now we ask, what other options exist out there? Thanks to the activity surrounding CES 2015, we found something like the 3DRudder, a system that moves the control from hands to feet.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/YWH7FQw7IjsIf that sounds too strange, it is because at first it is. At first glance it looks like a kind of balance scale with an oval bottom, but you don't stand on the device, you just place your feet on it. Combining a series of precise movements with accelerometers and gyroscopes, the 3DRudder converts our desires into commands. It is about thirty centimeters in diameter, and its connection is via USB, which should guarantee high compatibility with current software and hardware. One of the many ideas floating around the 3DRudder is to use it as a navigation system in 3D design applications, although the possibility of playing the latest FPS with this device is not ruled out.
Crowdfunding and Availability
The 3DRudder is making its rounds on the Indiegogo portal, but its reception so far has been colder than expected. Its creators are looking for 50 thousand dollars to enter the production phase, and with thirteen days ahead they have only received just over 16 thousand. One aspect to consider is the price. At this moment, a standard 3DRudder costs 110 dollars, a number that doesn't seem too aggressive. If all goes well, the first deliveries will take place during the month of May.
