Apparatus for use in a virtual reality system

An apparatus that is configured for use in a virtual reality environment, the apparatus comprising:

• a brake mechanism;
• a rod that is coupled to the brake mechanism, wherein the brake mechanism is configured to apply a resistive force to the rod, the resistive force opposes a force externally applied to the rod;
• and
• a sensor that is coupled to the rod, wherein the sensor is configured to output, to a computing system, a signal that is indicative of a position, direction of movement, and velocity of the rod, and further wherein the computing system is configured to control a magnitude of the resistive force applied to the rod by the brake mechanism based upon the signal that is output by the sensor.

An apparatus that is configured for use in a virtual reality system, the apparatus comprising:

• a rod;
• braking means for applying a force to the rod;
• and
• sensor means for outputting a signal that is indicative of a location, direction of movement, and velocity of a distal end of the rod, wherein a computing system is configured to receive the signal and transmit a control signal to the braking means based upon the signal, wherein the control signal indicates a magnitude of the force that is to be applied to the rod by the braking means, and further wherein the braking means applies the force with the magnitude indicated in the control signal.