The VirtuSphere is essentially a hollow sphere that is fitted with sensors. Because of this, it is capable of providing a user with an immersive virtual reality experience. Inside the VirtuSphere, a user can move about in a virtual reality world by the simple act of walking as he normally would outside of the sphere.

The VirtuSphere is mounted on a special platform that enables the sphere to move with the user's movements. Sensors inside this platform provide information on the speed and direction of the user, making it seem like the user is indeed walking in a virtual world.

Inside the VirtuSphere

Users of the VirtuSphere must wear a wireless headset with sensors capable of sensing 360-degree movements. To navigate the virtual world, all the user has to do is walk, jump, crawl or run and the computer will make the necessary adjustments to the virtual world in real time. This makes it possible for the user to get immersed in the virtual world as it provides the user with six degrees of freedom and the use of all of his senses in the virtual world.

The components of the VirtuSphere are an assembled sphere, the base on which the sphere will rest and rotate, three dimensional sensors on the platform and within the sphere itself, computer system device drivers, specialized 3D software and a wireless head mounted display. The sphere is made of plastic and manufactured through plastic injection molding. It uses ultrasonic Doppler effect radar to track movements.VirtuSphere

A fully working model of the sphere is projected to cost at around $50,000 to $100,000. Although this makes it too expensive for individual purchase, private companies, military organizations and governments, can use it for their programs. With mass production however, the VirtuSphere will eventually be available to ordinary consumers.

Applications of the VirtuSphere

The VirtuSphere has already been used in several ways by different institutions such as the Moscow 2012 Olympic Bid Committee, the St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications, Intel Corporation, CyberCup 2005, the Taftneft Oil and Gas Museum, the Moscow Tourism Office and many others.

Other future applications of this technology include use as an educational resource – providing students the means to explore virtual worlds or go on virtual field trips for experiential learning. It can also serve as a training platform for soldiers, police officers, firemen and others who very hazardous jobs – giving marines, special operations teams and SWAT teams the chance to physically explore the environment before going in the actual mission or firemen to virtually explore burning buildings before entering it. The VirtuSphere can be used as treadmills over at the gym or as training platforms for athletes as well. Architects and engineers have considered it as a means to see a building or a structure before it has been constructed. For leisure use, tourists can go on virtual-reality tours and vacations. Moreover, it can be used by the gaming industry as a platform for more realistic games, by museums as a means for letting visitors explore their collections and by amusement parks to provide a new class of rides.