Of course, that means you wouldn't have to sit staring at a wall or a TV while exercising—you could virtually travel down roads anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, the design needs some tinkering to be really usable—but it's a fantastic concept that's really worth pursuing. If there was a commercial product that got this right, I would probably be all over it. Hit the following link to learn how to do something like this at home. [Bako via Make]

Using prerendered chunks of track and a digital ruler, you can shape the path of their virtual roller coaster, bobsled track or jet flight. (Should you draw something that's impossible to perform, the system will guide and correct you.)

As for the simulation itself, your fate is in the hands of an industrial robot arm from Kuka Robotics, like you've seen in car plants. We can only assume that the robot shakes you at high velocities until you feel dizzy or sick, all while fans occasionally blow air at your face to simulate velocity.

Several years back, I tested a similar build-your-own coaster ride at DisneyQuest. Some effects were actually pretty wonderful, but the customization was fairly limited and the simulators were far more typical. Knowing my well-being is in the grasp of a robot that could literally destroy me makes the whole prospect sounds a lot more exciting. [CNN]

As you can see in the video, the walking pace is a little on the slow side, but Iwata believes that refinement of the technology could lead to more realistic virtual simulations. Throw some lights in there and I smell an awesome redux of "Billie Jean" for the 21st century. [Technabob via Popular Science]

Intended to "accurately reproduce" the three stages of a Soyuz rocket launch, the you recline, put on eyewear/headphones and input your requested ride into the control panel (should they prefer a single stage or full-out rocket launch). The chair then rattles its way from a mundane home to...well, it doesn't go anywhere. But maybe you won't realize that until you take off the mask and return to Everybody Loves Raymond reruns. [Design Interactions via Core77 via OhGizmo!]

Spotted initially by CrunchGear, the movie links to a web site called What's In The Box, but the trail pretty much ends there. They don't have any ideas either.

If anything, it's just a cool short film that successfully combines gadgets, sci-fi and film making into a nice little package. That it apparently doesn't have any point whatsoever, and ends somewhat abruptly with a "singularity," well, that's another thing. For now, enjoy this on a lazy Sunday. [CrunchGear]

After one day of shooting, World Builder was in post production for 2 years. Despite its extremely small artistic team (essentially one guy), the first half of the piece deploys some really believable visual effects to establish a sort of virtual reality version of Illustrator or Maya.

The clip, be it a tad long for internet perusal, is a real pleasure to watch. Load it up when you have a few minutes to dedicate to your imagination. [Thanks Helen!]

Now obviously the claim is at least a slight exaggeration, as the peripheral only covers your head. Regardless...

The Cocoon is pitched as a portable VR device that can work for both entertainment and learning, taking viewers from their couch to the African savanna or Pyramids of Egypt. It's obvious that the helmet contains a unique, semi-circular screen that will fill the entirety of your vision. But researchers on the project are still working out other engineering problems, like how specific smells can be reproduced (which is, in itself, a worldwide scientific conundrum that's spawned many not-so-portable prototypes) .

If all goes according to plan, the Virtual Cocoon will be on the market in three years for about $2,000. But something tells us that even if the device makes it to stores, and even if it works perfectly, the human neck will lack the structural integrity to appreciate the experience. [Mail Online]

Riders enter the vehicle by popping open the top and entering what looks like a futuristic cockpit. A large spherical display covers the upper body while a bottom area allows your legs to move freely on a special track.

The machine, which is a prototype, can only handle a weight of up to 60kg (132 pounds). According to the reporter, being inside felt like living in a large video game. Uh, where can I sign up to try this thing out? [Robot Impress]

This tactile display enables tactile feedback superimposed over 3D graphics projected in free space, which provides more intuitive handling of 3D "touchable" graphics. For example, users could touch Princess Leia projected in the air.

...

Again:

This tactile display enables tactile feedback superimposed over 3D graphics projected in free space, which provides more intuitive handling of 3D "touchable" graphics. For example, users could touch Princess Leia projected in the air.

...

Yes. Users can touch Princess Leia projected in the air. In her metal bikini. Oiled. OK, that's just me, but you get the idea.

How is this force field produced? The Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display uses multiple ultrasound transducers to project waves into the air. Without gloves or attachments, and without risk of penetration in the body, the device takes advantage of a nonlinear ultrasound phenomena called acoustic radiation pressure. This allows for the creation of spatial shapes of acoustic ultrasound radiation pressure, which is what gives you the sensation of touching Princess Leia's breasts for real, even feeling the nature of the material: The authors of the device say that eventually you will be able to "probe the surface of an object to measure the visc-oelastic properties of the object from a distant point." Paraphrasing Hank Moody, I think I got my manhood back and got hungry at the same time.

This version produces a 3D force field "that is sufficient for handling virtual objects with hands. The force field designed to be effective within a 30 cm3 region, with 10 gf, 1 kHz bandwidth, and 1cm spatial resolution." Holodeck, here we go. [University of Tokyo]

VRAC officials have seen early success with the program thanks, in part, to the ass-backwards approach they've taken to remote UAV control:

This approach inverts the typical paradigm for conveying information to UAV jockeys, according to VRAC. Because rather than augmenting the real-time camera picture with sensor generated information, the new interface works more like a virtual operating theater-one that's constantly fed by a myriad array of spatial and temporal information sources.

"We're also developing and measuring the effectiveness of new human interface techniques, which will enable operators to effectively control multiple, semi-autonomous aircraft," said research director Dr. James Oliver. "Already, up to 230 persons can be interfaced to participate in the system simultaneously."

Again, that sounds like a kick ass LAN party to me. A deadly LAN party, that is. [CNET]

The visual design casts the mask as a lifestyle product of the future, as it plays with a glaring, exaggerated coolness of the wearer. It gives an almost robotic appearance, and suggests a diversion from what we define today as "normal" physical human interaction.

Within the mask, smells, sounds, even air quality would be imitated to create a full sensory experience. The facial expressions of those wearing the device would be detected and projected onto personal avatars visible to others also living behind the shield of the mask.

This entirely garbage idea was created by a company called Box Fab who presumably just got a copy of Maya and decided to try to trick investors into giving them money. They're a "pre-revenue start-up" looking for people to place bulk orders and pay in advance so they can start manufacturing their ill-advised product ideas. I would really love to see this get made with software that would turn the accelerometer into a VR machine, actually. Seeing people on the train with their iPhones strapped to their faces, slowly going blind and experiencing the future as described in the late '80s, it's almost too awesome for me to imagine.

The best part? Box Fab thinks they can make it for under $200. For goggles shaped to hold the iPhone. I really think this is going to take off! Somebody order 5,000 of these, stat. [Box Fab]

The Arisawa Teleglass is a mobile video headset solution that is not a headset at all, but a clip on LCD display that can hook to your coolest pair of wrap around glasses. The .24 inch LCD display simulates a 21 inch display from 1 meter. So while the viewing area isn't huge, one of your eyes can monitor for incoming punches to the face. We're not entirely certain of what sort of video inputs will work, but the Teleglass does require you to carry an iPod-sized box to function.

At about $429, we'll wait until this technology is flat and integrated into the lens. (Sorry manufacturers, nothing else will do for the mass public.) – Mark Wilson

Product Page (Japanese) [via i4u]

The 320x240 model runs $250. The glasses feature a USB-rechargeable lithium ion with an undisclosed runtime. I fully believe in the technology VR glasses, especially with the popularity of PMPs with tiny screens. If only they didn't make you look like a complete tool, blinding you to the peanut-throwing bullies on planes everywhere. – Mark Wilson

Product Page

The aim is to get patients to draw on their meditation training to regain perspective—and stay calm—when a stimulus causes an emotional response. "The idea being to be in the high-stimulus environment for a long period of time, maintaining low psycho-physiological arousal," Wood says. "The person then can take that learning in the therapeutic environment and transport it out or generalize it to day-to-day life."

Other groups such as one at the University of Washington and one at USC, who are working with a modified version of the game Full Spectrum Warrior to help PTSD sufferers, have also benefitted from the $4 million grant. – Jason Chen

A Dose of Virtual Reality [Business Week via Medgadget]

Introducing the iPod VR! [Make]