From: broehl@sunee.uwaterloo.ca (Bernie Roehl)
Subject: Re: TECH: VR Device/Arcade for Bar Use, info needed!
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1993 14:14:02 GMT
Organization: University of Waterloo



In article <1uj781INN317@news.u.washington.edu> rice@steroid.hti.com
(Jason Rice) writes:

>Just a few things a group I consulted for about a year ago ran into...

A year ago was too early.  Now is probably still too early.  But
*next* year may be a possibility...

>We started out with a Sense8 setup, 486-50 with Intel boards,
>Virtual Research HMD, spaceball
>[...] We had significant problems with the ultrasonics (HMD)

I'd have used an Ascension (or possibly Polhemus) to avoid the noise-
related problems.  I like ultrasonics for everything *except* arcade
settings.

>Second major stumble was the reliability of the spaceball. We averaged
>about 30 hours of use by Joe-Bob semi-drunk before it turned to just
>so much worthless plastic.  I can't remember exactly how many we went
>through, [...]  Alternatives are slim.

There's an alternative now; see below.

>[...] doesn't offset the cost of $30K of toys and two people full time:
>one taking money and one playing tour guide

The economics are changing fast.  A 486/50 is a lot cheaper now than
it used to be.  If Sense8's "Mercury" software runs fast enough, you
won't need the special Intel boards -- just a fast VGA card.  Instead
of the spaceball, get one of the Global Devices Controllers -- same
idea, but more rugged and much cheaper (you can replace them as
needed).  The HMD is still going to cost you, as are the Ascension
trackers, but the total equipment cost still won't be anywhere near
$30,000 these days.

You'll also be able to use the worlds you built with Sense8's toolkit
(assuming Mercury is compatable).

As for two people full-time... I'd say you should simplify your
interface.  No arcade game should require more instructions than will
fit on a large placard beside the unit.  One attendant taking money
and keeping an eye on the equipment should be enough.

Equipment cost:
          486/50        $1500  (no hard disk, no monitor)  
          Sense8 s/w    $1000  (Mercury)
          Ascension     $3000 ?
          GDC           $ 100
          HMD           $7900  (Liquid Image "Mirage" display)
                        -----
                        13500

Throw in some miscellaneous $$$ for packaging, etc and it's still half
of what you paid a year ago.  And if cheaper HMD's become available,
it gets even better.  Your operating costs can be cut in half (one
attendant instead of two).

Bottom line: not yet, but soon...

-- 
	Bernie Roehl
        University of Waterloo Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering
	Mail: broehl@sunee.UWaterloo.ca
	Voice:  (519) 885-1211 x 2607 [work]