There may be something interesting here, but it's tough figuring anything out about it. This article, in particular, doesn't give any indication that the ICUBE is any better than a CAVE, and that was introduced in 1993.
But it's still a bit heavy on the hype. E.g., "Unlike the older generation CAVE®, the EON ICUBE is easy to use even for non programmers ...." Give me a break. Yes, non-programmers can use computers, but someone still needs to write the programs. Also: "On top of that, the system is fully compatible with tracking and input devices." That's more of a baseline requirement than anything remotely close to revolutionary.
On the other hand, "Typically, high-end immersive systems have until today been complex, difficult to use and expensive to maintain." They have indeed, and anyone who can do something about one of these problems has done a great thing. And "utilizes a new light enhancing rigid wall material" sounds like it might be something nifty.
In any case, it's nice to see new VR products coming out. The field has definitely languished in the past decade.
i've always thought a large compressed liquid 'sack' pressed hard up against some bearings could be controlled via motors etc so that when you walk the sack rotates instead of you moving - imagine a mouse wheel big enough to stand on...
There's also this suggestion which just puts a piece of floor under you where you need, but currently it seems a bit scary to try. I imagine if I suddenly jumped to some direction I would end up falling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYsvB2y2Ero
That looks amazing, but I'm curious how well it would work with two users. I know it says that it's supported, but one would assume that it would have to make some compromises, since it wouldn't be able to adapt to the positions and orientations of two people as well as it could one.
Eon's own page is a little better:
http://www.eonreality.com/products_icube.html
But it's still a bit heavy on the hype. E.g., "Unlike the older generation CAVE®, the EON ICUBE is easy to use even for non programmers ...." Give me a break. Yes, non-programmers can use computers, but someone still needs to write the programs. Also: "On top of that, the system is fully compatible with tracking and input devices." That's more of a baseline requirement than anything remotely close to revolutionary.
On the other hand, "Typically, high-end immersive systems have until today been complex, difficult to use and expensive to maintain." They have indeed, and anyone who can do something about one of these problems has done a great thing. And "utilizes a new light enhancing rigid wall material" sounds like it might be something nifty.
In any case, it's nice to see new VR products coming out. The field has definitely languished in the past decade.