Locomotion system and apparatus
A locomotion system for use with a virtual environment technology includes a platform configured to support a user, a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and a safety harness configured to be worn by the user. The harness support assembly includes a support halo positioned above the platform and extending about a vertical central axis. The safety harness includes an interface structure moveably coupled to the support halo.
1. A locomotion system comprising:
a low friction platform configured to be used with low friction footwear;
at least one harness support assembly engaged with the platform and extending upward from the platform;
a safety harness engaged with the harness support assembly,
wherein the at least one harness support assembly and the safety harness:
provide horizontal support to a user on the platform, and
enable vertical movement and rotational movement of the user on the platform.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one harness support assembly and the safety harness provide vertical support to the user on the platform.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the low friction footwear includes one or more attached motion sensing devices.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more motion sensing devices.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more motion sensing devices are inertial sensors.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more motion sensing devices are optical sensors.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller includes one or more motion sensing devices.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a visual display.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the platform is concave.
11. A platform comprising:
at least one harness support assembly engaged with the platform and extending upward from the platform;
a safety harness engaged with the harness support assembly,
wherein the at least one harness support assembly and the safety harness:
provide horizontal support to a user on the platform, and
enable vertical movement and rotational movement to the user on the platform, and
wherein the platform is constructed of a material with a low coefficient of friction and configured to be used with low friction footwear.
12. The platform of claim 11 , wherein the at least one harness support assembly and the safety harness provide vertical support to the user on the platform.
13. The platform of claim 11 , wherein the low friction footwear includes one or more attached motion sensing devices.
14. The platform of claim 11 , further comprising one or more motion sensing devices.
15. The platform of claim 14 , wherein the one or more motion sensing devices are inertial sensors.
16. The platform of claim 14 , wherein the one or more motion sensing devices are optical sensors.
17. The platform of claim 11 , further comprising a controller.
18. The platform of claim 17 , wherein the controller includes one or more motion sensing devices.
19. The platform of claim 11 , further comprising a visual display.
20. The platform of claim 11 , wherein the platform is concave.