DoctorFinger
06-04-2010, 07:12 AM
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4669131440_c191271530.jpg
I have to admit, I geeked out a little when I read this story (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179633). I think you'll understand why.
A company called Forcetek USA will be debuting a product line by the name of XIO at this month's E3. XIO is an exoskeletal arm, which is both a motion sensing controller, and a force feedback device. And they're not stopping at the arm. Dare you imagine a full body, force feedback motion controller?"It's a very lightweight device made of very lightweight material," Forcetek's Ryan Christoff tells us. "If you're punching somebody [in a boxing game] and you make contact with the other boxer, you would actually be able to feel it. You're going to feel it stop. Our resistance modules are going to engage and you're going to be able to feel that."
In addition to providing this sudden-stop feedback to create a sense of immersion, Christoff says that the unit will also help "reinforce the correct muscle pattern for the activity being simulated," meaning that it could possibly be used as a fitness or training tool. But Forcetek is introducing the tech to the videogame market because, as Christoff says, the healthcare field is more difficult to penetrate.Only the arm will be at E3, but Forcetek is planning modules for the "shoulder, back and lower body" as well as headgear with display.
Before anyone mentions it: yes, I know this is extravagant to the point of insanity. Yes, I know that it logically won't add much to the gaming experience unless developers code for it. I know all that. I don't care. It's a freaking exoskeleton. Practicality - or the lack of it - doesn't matter. I still want it. Badly.
Source - 1UP (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179633).
I have to admit, I geeked out a little when I read this story (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179633). I think you'll understand why.
A company called Forcetek USA will be debuting a product line by the name of XIO at this month's E3. XIO is an exoskeletal arm, which is both a motion sensing controller, and a force feedback device. And they're not stopping at the arm. Dare you imagine a full body, force feedback motion controller?"It's a very lightweight device made of very lightweight material," Forcetek's Ryan Christoff tells us. "If you're punching somebody [in a boxing game] and you make contact with the other boxer, you would actually be able to feel it. You're going to feel it stop. Our resistance modules are going to engage and you're going to be able to feel that."
In addition to providing this sudden-stop feedback to create a sense of immersion, Christoff says that the unit will also help "reinforce the correct muscle pattern for the activity being simulated," meaning that it could possibly be used as a fitness or training tool. But Forcetek is introducing the tech to the videogame market because, as Christoff says, the healthcare field is more difficult to penetrate.Only the arm will be at E3, but Forcetek is planning modules for the "shoulder, back and lower body" as well as headgear with display.
Before anyone mentions it: yes, I know this is extravagant to the point of insanity. Yes, I know that it logically won't add much to the gaming experience unless developers code for it. I know all that. I don't care. It's a freaking exoskeleton. Practicality - or the lack of it - doesn't matter. I still want it. Badly.
Source - 1UP (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179633).