Who has unveiled this new floor?
The Walt Disney Company just unveiled HoloTiles. It is the world’s first multi-person, multidirectional, adaptable, and expandable treadmill floor. Using the floor, one can walk in any direction while experiencing virtual reality (VR) without bumping into others.
The HoloTile Floor has lots of small round tiles fitted close together. These tiles create a treadmill that allows users to walk in different directions without leaving the pad.
Lanny Smoot, a senior Disney employee, presented the floor. He walked in any direction, and the HoloTiles adjusted to keep him on it. What's super cool is that many people can use it together and walk independently without any problems.
What will the floor be used for?
The HoloTile Floor is made for virtual and augmented reality gaming and experiences. During a VR game, the floor moves the user around. So it feels like they're walking, running, and moving inside the game while actually staying in the same place.
One can walk in any direction without getting off the HoloTile because the floor is always moving. Besides gaming, people can also use the HoloTile for really cool stage performances.
While showing the product, Lanny Smoot even sat in a chair on the HoloTile floor. The floor tilted, allowing Smoot to glide around. This shows the tile can also be used to move stage objects. However, its final usage still remains to be seen.
So, when will this floor be made available for use?
It’s unclear how much speed and weight the HoloTile Floor can handle. The technology is still very new and being worked on. It’s too soon to say for sure when or if it will be ready for people to buy.
