Put your mechanical bull on Craigslist and get this VR motion simulator

By Danny Cowan September 14, 2016

Virtual reality startup Futuretown announced the upcoming launch of Totalmotion, a body-controlled platform interface that can be adapted to suit a variety of VR experiences and simulations in conjunction with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets.

Futuretown demonstrates several of the device’s potential applications in the trailer above, giving an early glimpse at VR motocross, snowboarding, and horseback riding scenarios that employ Totalmotion technology.

Designed for amusement parks and stand-alone VR attractions, the Totalmotion is a modular platform that players either straddle or stand upon, depending on the simulated experience. The base of the platform moves and rotates with player input, resulting in fluid controls and movement within a VR space.

To further enhance player immersion, the Totalmotion can be upgraded with a number of bolt-on accessories, including handlebars and customized seating. Futuretown demonstrated several in-development applications during its showcase event at Tokyo Game Show this week, including the games Whiteout: Ski VR, Infinity Rider: Motorcycle VR, Wave Breaker: Surf VR, and Stallion Adventures: Horse Riding VR.

“Our vision is that virtual reality technology will transform people’s lives and change the way they perceive and interact with the world,” Futuretown Honorary Chairman Peter Chou told VR Focus. “Futuretown has been an early pioneer of virtual reality and an innovator with cross-platform and digital content creation. We are excited to deliver the world’s most advanced and immersive virtual reality experience for everyone to enjoy and make our vision a reality.”

Futuretown previously produced the popular HTC Vive application Cloudlands: VR Minigolf, along with the virtual reality shooters Jeeboman and A-10 VR.

“The Totalmotion platform opens up new opportunities for developers to create virtual reality experiences that were not possible before,” Futuretown CEO Johan Yang said. “With the modular design of the Totalmotion platform, we can more easily expand and build new virtual reality experiences suitable for all ages.”

A launch date for the Totalmotion platform has not been announced.

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