Summary
According to a newly published patent,Sonyis actively working on virtual reality foot sensors that would allow players to move in VR games using their feet.Sony’s virtual reality patentshave caught the eye of audiences, with many curious as to which, if any, of the company’s latest research and development projects will ever be made available to the public.
A powerhouse in the technology and entertainment industries,Sonyhas firmly established itself as a front-runner in virtual reality gaming. With the PSVR and PSVR2 systems available for pairing with the PlayStation family of consoles, Sony has opened up efforts to bring higher levels of immersion into the realm of video games. In order to make this aspect of gaming more accessible and comfortable for some users, Sony is currently developing an interesting new way to play VR games.
Published on May 23, the Sony VR foot sensor patent details a unique accessory device that would allow users to move an in-game character using their feet while keeping their torso stable. The patent suggests that players who may experience motion sickness due to their in-game character moving while their actual body remains stationary could benefit from being able to move their feet to perform in-game actions. Rather than simply using hand controllers to move a character, players could attach foot sensors and use swinging, tilting, and twisting motions with their feet to experience the game and avoid motion sickness. This effort bySony to improve accessibility in gamingreflects a similar pattern in other recent patents, suggesting that the technology giant may hope to reach even more audiences across its consumer bases.
Sony VR Foot Sensor Patent Details
Figures 5-10 of the Sony VR foot sensor patent show how the sensors are attached to either side of each foot and how different movements, such as sliding or rotating, can be translated into in-game movements. An example from the patent is in-game jumping, which could be triggered by moving both feet above a certain threshold. The sensors would calculate the displacement of the feet from their baseline location and determine that a jumping movement has been made, resulting in the VR character performing a jump. This would allow players to keep their torso still and play mostly with their feet, opening up a number of accessibility options. However, it is key to note that companies like Sony frequently file newvideo game technology patents, and without official announcements, there is no guarantee that this VR foot sensor will ever be produced and sold.
Virtual reality remains a polarizing tool in the technology, entertainment, and video game industries. While certain virtual and augmented reality devices have proven popular, many remain unable to use these tools due to issues like motion sickness, limited mobility, and other health concerns. By offeringaccessible options for gaming, Sony could expand playing opportunities to more audiences, though it remains unknown if the VR foot sensor or any other newly patentedSonytechnologies will ever be available to consumers.
