An EU funded research project has seen the creation of a multi-directional treadmill, which when coupled with virtual reality, can give the impression of walking miles without actually moving from one spot. One way of looking at it is that it's a conveyor belt of, well conveyor belts that gives the users the impression they are walking but in actuality they are simply staying on one place. The device currently measures 4M x 4M and while downsizing is not an option, making it even bigger most certainly is. A smaller system would lead to participant's loss of balance and would ruin the point of the exercise.

It was built in order to give people an outdoor experience without ever leaving the front door. While its primary function is assumed to be entertainment, it can also serve an immense amount of functions other than this. It can give architects the chance to explore a building that has not even been constructed. It can help emergency services prepare for situations they may face and it can even help people overcome phobias.

While there are currently no plans to commercialise the virtual reality wonder, it is not something out of the realms of possibility. Dr Mark O. Ernst at the Maz Planck For Biological Cybernetics in Germany, which is the temporary home for the project says that if a company wants to do so then it would help as it would be a shame to see the work go to waste. So if there are any multi-millionaires out there who fancy investing in a future setting, phobia curing treadmill, you know who to contact.