China Could Really Use That Oculus Rift+Treadmill Deal

So I was exercising in my Beijing hotel and the view from the gym looked like this:

So later on, it hit me: While I doubt many out-of-shape Western gamers really want it, a country like China would probably embrace this Oculus Rift merged to a 3D treadmill technology. Because the thing is, Beijing is hardly the only epicly polluted city in China -- there are many more. In Beijing, even on nice days (and there are many of those, actually), you rarely see people jogging or otherwise exercising outside, probably because most city dwellers don't associate the outdoors with health. At the same time, since the Chinese government has banned videogame consoles, PC gaming is extremely popular in China, and there's several successful local PC manufacturers like Lenovo... so, put the pieces together.

Leaving aside the totally valid question about whether it's a good idea to escape a polluted reality (rather than improving it) into a utopian virtual one, I think it's inevitable we will see this in the next few years: Chinese Internet cafes with omni-directional treadmills, wired up to Oculus Rift headsets (or reverse engineered clones made in China), and millions of Chinese strapping in, to take a peaceful walk through verdant forests or sunlit beaches beneath a pure blue (albeit virtual) sky.

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Comments

[Iggy]

Rumors float around that the ban on consoles will soon be lifted. But if not, what makes you think that the Rift + a treadmill won't be seen as yet another potentially addictive toy by Chinese authorities?

[Jo Yardley]

Also don't forget that many people, especially in some of the larger cities, have almost no space.
They live in tiny apartments and rarely escape to the country side.
For them, jogging trough lovely views of nature, will also be healthy on a mental way.
Of course a happy and healthy worker is a good worker.

[Arcadia Codesmith]

"I doubt many out-of-shape Western gamers really want it"

I don't understand your doubt. All of the major U.S. consoles have multiple fitness apps, and that's on top of a mountain of non-interactive fitness videos.

Thing is, there're all boring as hell. But put a workout in the context of fantasy, science-fiction, or comic book superheroes... yeah, I'll push past the pain if I can KO the Joker. Time for the punchline, creep!

[swannjie]

actually, I have noticed that on almost all housing estates, not the fancy ones, just middle class newer ones, there is always a playground area with many exercise machines. walking, different waist twisting, parallel bars, weighs on the legs to do legs push ups, sit ups, out in the open. And usually there are older people using them. Retired people and often with children. Working age people are off at the work place maybe. These are like swing playground type installations. Its really v gd. Next time people people visit Beijing, if you have time, just take a walk off the side streets and look at the housing estates, what exercise machines are provided on a broad basis. Often, they could be just along the sidewalk on a strip of green lawn.