Disney’s Imagineers have developed a groundbreaking innovation in metaverse hardware – a 360-degree treadmill called the Holotile. This device can be controlled through remote control, physical movement, or gestures. The Holotile consists of a thick plastic mat made up of hundreds of spinning pieces arranged in a random geometric pattern. By using tilted, spinning discs, it creates a floor that can move in any direction.
The first person outside of Disney to test this prototype was Marques Brownlee, a popular United States YouTuber and the 2022 Ultimate champion, also known as MKBHD. He demonstrated how the Holotile can be used to move objects with a simple wave of the hand, similar to the Jedi Knights in the Star Wars franchise. They use their “force” to manipulate objects with their minds.
MKBHD was then given the chance to use the Holotile while seated in a chair, controlling it with a PlayStation controller. Finally, he was able to use the device on his own two legs. After a brief training period, he successfully navigated through a Disney metaverse environment where his movements were translated into a virtual 3D world.
Although the Holotile is currently only a prototype, it showcases the incredible possibilities of this technology. While there are already 360-degree treadmills available on the market, none offer the same level of freedom of movement as the Holotile.
The potential applications for this device are vast. Beyond recreating scenes from “Ready Player One,” where gamers move around virtual environments using a futuristic treadmill, Disney envisions using the Holotile to explore their theme parks in the metaverse. During MKBHD’s trial, he and the inventors of the device showcased its capabilities by walking around a digital version of the Magic Kingdom.
In addition to theme parks and video games, the Holotile could be used in various industries. It could assist in moving objects in dynamic environments, training first responders, law enforcement, and military personnel, and enhancing educational experiences. Furthermore, it could transform the collection of nonfungible tokens into a more interactive and physically demanding activity, combining elements of “Pokemon Go” and “Bored Apes” in a navigable environment.
The Holotile is an exciting glimpse into the future of metaverse hardware, and Disney is at the forefront of this innovation. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more groundbreaking developments in the metaverse realm.