Disney Research has developed an astonishing invention called HoloTile, a 360-degree moving treadmill that resembles a dynamic floor. This device is still in the experimental stage but has already demonstrated tremendous potential, especially in the field of virtual reality (VR). HoloTile is made up of numerous tiny rotating discs that can rotate according to the direction of walking, simulating the sensation of real walking. This technology makes it a multi-directional dynamic platform, breaking through the limitations of traditional treadmills.
YouTuber Marques Brownlee recently visited Disney Research to experience this technology. He stated that during his first trial, he was set in training mode to gradually adapt to this new way of walking. Over time, he could feel the increasing responsiveness of the floor tiles and eventually walk freely on the HoloTile. Additionally, this design brings a completely new virtual reality walking experience that may be applied in homes or amusement parks in the future.
This experience not only showcases Disney’s forward-thinking in technological innovation but also fills Brownlee with anticipation for future applications. The developers of HoloTile also demonstrated the multiplayer interactive mode of this technology, as well as the new experience when combined with VR headsets. Although there are still some technical and experiential challenges at this stage, the future holds great imagination.
With such hardware advancements, combined with software advancements in AI and blockchain, it is believed that people’s concept and experience of the metaverse will become clearer and more complete.
HoloTile
VR
Metaverse
Disney
Further reading:
Meta’s impressive Q1 financial report, plans to expand AI capital investment
Bank for International Settlements urges governments to regulate metaverse development early.