Giro: better biking in virtual reality

Abstract

We present the prototype of a wireless tracker developed to improve functionality and experience of biking systems using virtual reality (VR) for augmentation. VR has shown promise as an assistive technology to promote physical activity for older adult users. In previous studies, nursing home participants' intrinsic motivation to exercise has shown to increase when using VR to augment their biking exercise routine. The presented VR augmentation system previously used a wired Arduino UNO microcontroller, with magnets and Hall effect sensors to track the pedaling behavior of users. The prototype for a pedaling-tracking device that we present in this paper improves the real-time synchronization of proprioceptive and visual feedback to user actions along with an increased ease-of-use and flexibility, which can suggest future directions in VR technologies for various applications in both domestic and professional setups. The new prototype presented is currently deployed for initial testing in two rehabilitation centers for older adults in Frederiksberg, Denmark.