Pedal your way through a variety of virtual terrain or create your own.
Kindona Limited, a small group engineers and designers lead by Izuchukwu Okongwu, is currently in development of a VR-enabled bike controller that will allow you to navigate virtual worlds from the seat of your real-world bicycle.
According to the official Kickstarter page, the platform will feature numerous virtual environments, games and stunts, multiplayer functionality, and the ability to design custom terrain.
“The idea for Blync came to me when my wife bought her bike but could not ride it because of her busy work schedule and our two young kids. As I was looking for a solution, I got to experience VR for the first time,” said Okongwu. “I then asked, “What if I can make my wife feel like she is riding outside while she is at home using a VR system?” This is how I began developing Blync.”
The setup itself is ingeniously simple. Players begin by mounting their back tire to a standard biker trainer (not included) and attaching a speed sensor to the hub. The front tire sits on a path sensor which tracks the position of the handlebars in real-time, allowing you to turn in-game. There’s also a companion app which can be used to track your ride history, including calories, speed, and power.
Promotional video shows the device being used with the Oculus Go standalone headset, though the company claims they’re currently working on support for other major platforms and devices. Those without a VR headset can use a standard computer monitor instead, though the team recommends using VR for a more engaging fitness experience.
At the time of this writing Blync sits just $12,180 shy of its $22,632 funding goal with 23 days left to go in the campaign. Pending successful funding, the first wave of devices will begin shipping out to early backers beginning January of next year. Those interested in learning more can visit the official Kickstarter page.
Image Credit: Kinbona Limited
