Treadgaming PCB is being upgraded!

Since I did the firmware, and tested in games, I realized that, even-though I have headers on the PCB, I really wanted to make it easier to, out-of-box, also navigate around, not only walk back and forth. That is why the new PCB will have Wii Nunchuck pads (just like the Video Game Shield)  where you can just connect the Wii Nunchuck straight into the PCB and it will work. I also have 2, one for each hand, if wanted.

The Nunchuck might not be the best controller out there, but it is cheap, has a joystick, a few buttons, and a accelerometer, which is great for this. You can just hold it in your hand to look around, and walk that way on the treadmill.

Yes, I know it's not like the Razer Hydra, but still. Actually, one might be able to use the Razer Hydra with mine, if the game allows it.

While I'm updating the PCB, I'm also including RF (2.4Ghz) support which opens up for even more fun additions in the future. Now, it will only be included in the commercial one, if this happens to end up being popular as the FCC certification (which I need to sell with RF in USA) is quite expensive. But, I figured, I include RF support in the PCB now. That way, I can at a later stage decide if I can include the RF components or not, and I don't have to pay extra for a new PCB. It will just be a matter of including the components or not when manufacturing the board, everything will be ready for it. I think this is quite smart. :)

The idea with RF is also that in the future I could always do my own "Nunchuck" solution, with better hardware, and wire free (using a rechargeable battery)! Others are also welcome to play around with it! Such as making 2 Treadgaming PCBs communicate for some crazy reason.

This time around I'm also exposing every possible pin, even though I use it. This way, the pins are multifunctional. For instance, one might not use both nunchucks, which frees those pins up, and since they are exposed, they can be used for other things.

I'm also doubling the CPU frequency. It's even overclock-able to squeeze even more out of it.

Omni Treadmills

I posted about the Omni way back (which now also is on Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1944625487/omni-move-naturally-in-your-favorite-game ), and apparently another just popped up: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/654506511/wizdish-exercise-and-vr-omni-directional-treadmill

I even backed the Delta Six: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/356540105/delta-six-a-new-kind-of-game-controller which actually works better with my project as with the others you have to use a headset and you can't see the gun (and look through the scope for instance).

Personally, between the two above, I prefer the Omni. That way you don't have to moonwalk. I backed both though, as I think they are both cool in their own way. Seems I should had released this project last year though. Anyway, hopefully those other projects will get people more into this, and help me too hopefully. This should be much cheaper. Especially if you already have a treadmill/exercise bike.