Immersive multisensory simulation system

A system comprising:

• a user receiving device to receive a user in a manner allowing for multidirectional rotational movement of the user;
• a force applying unit including a base configured to be deployed on a surface that is substantially perpendicular to a gravity vector to support the force applying unit on the surface, a first support in communication with the base and extending vertically relative to the surface when the base is deployed on the surface, and a second support substantially perpendicular to the first support and in communication with the user receiving device, the second support being vertically moveable relative to the base to provide at least one of a positive force or a negative force to the user receiving device in a direction substantially parallel to the gravity vector, respectfully in negative or positive directions, wherein the second support remains substantially perpendicular to the first support during vertical movement of the second support relative to the base;
• one or more sensors configured to obtain measurements of the forces being applied to the user in the user receiving device;
• a controller including at least one processor configured to receive the measurements from the one or more sensors;
• one or more actuators controlled by the controller and operating based on the measurements from the one or more sensors, the actuators configured to control the vertical movement of the second support relative to the base to maintain the forces on the user;
• and
• a mobility arrangement in communication with the base and configured for allowing movement of the user together with the user receiving device and the force applying unit in multiple degrees of freedom defined by:
• i) forward/backward, ii) left/right, and iii) 360-degree rotation about a yaw axis parallel to the gravity vector,
• wherein the movement of the user allowed by the mobility arrangement is unrestricted by the system.

A method comprising:

• obtaining a force applying unit having a base, a first support operatively coupled to the base, and a second support substantially perpendicular to the first support and in communication with a user receiving device, the second support being vertically moveable relative to the base;
• deploying the base on a surface that is substantially perpendicular to a gravity vector such that the force applying unit is supported by the base on the surface and such that the first support extends vertically relative to the surface;
• receiving a user in the user receiving device;
• determining an applied force to be applied on the user;
• actuating vertical movement of the second support relative to the base to apply the applied force to the user in the user receiving device, whereby the second support remains substantially perpendicular to the first support during the vertical movement;
• continuously monitoring the applied force;
• adjusting the applied force such that the applied force remains constant on the user;
• and
• maintaining constant the applied force on the user.

A system comprising:

• a user receiving device for receiving a user, the user receiving device including a ring configuration and configured for allowing unlimited 360-degree rotation of the user relative to at least part of the ring configuration and about a yaw axis parallel to a gravity vector;
• and
• a force applying unit in communication with the user receiving device, the force applying unit including:
• a first support operatively coupled to a base that is deployable on a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the gravity vector, the first support extending vertically relative to the surface when the base is deployed on the surface, and
• a second support operatively coupled to the first support and substantially perpendicular to the first support, the second support being in communication with the user receiving device and being vertically moveable relative to the base to provide at least one of a positive force or a negative force to the user receiving device in a direction substantially parallel to the gravity vector, wherein the second support remains substantially perpendicular to the first support during vertical movement of the second support relative to the base.