Cyberwalk: Implementation of a ball bearing platform for humans

Martin Schwaiger, Thomas Thümmel, Heinz Ulbrich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents an advanced model of a treadmill using balls which are actuated by a belt on a turntable. The platform is able to run at high speeds which are close to normal walking speed and can withstand the load of a 100kg human. Several different tests have been performed to prove the principle on the one hand and to evaluate the upscalability of the system on the other hand. First, a human is walking on the platform at different speeds. The speed is increased until the unit gets instable at about 1.5 m/s. Methods for further stabilization at higher speeds are discussed. Second, a vehicle simulates the movements of a human in an urban environment at a downscaled level. The control recenters the vehicle and the resulting accelerations on the vehicle are calculated and upscaled. These results are compared to the preliminary results of our partner Max Planck Society Tübingen where the research about the human perception of accelerations is done..

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman-Computer Interaction
Subtitle of host publicationInteraction Platforms and Techniques - 12th International Conference, HCI International 2007, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages926-935
Number of pages10
EditionPART 2
ISBN (Print)9783540731061
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Event12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2007 - Beijing, China
Duration: 22 Jul 200727 Jul 2007

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
NumberPART 2
Volume4551 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2007
Country/TerritoryChina
CityBeijing
Period22/07/0727/07/07

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cyberwalk: Implementation of a ball bearing platform for humans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this