TreadGaming Turns Cardio Machines into Game Controllers

TreadGaming is a new solution that turns treadmills and exercise bikes into game controllers, allowing users to play their favourite games while exercising on their cardio machine.

TreadGaming is the latest device that lets users exercise on their treadmills and stationary bikes and break the boredom of cardio routines by playing different virtual games. It is a small USB-enabled device that attaches to a treadmill or ergometer bike and effectively turns it into a game controller that runs on physical activity alone. The device is compatible with all games and makes first-person ones particularly exciting as it allows players to experience sneaking, walking and running within the games while they are doing it on their cardio machine.

TreadGaming is a plug-and-play solution. It uses the TreadGaming Base PCB, the main piece of hardware that does all the work, to connect cardio machines to different games on the screen. Once connected via USB, the device is recognised as a joystick on Windows, Linux and Mac OSX systems. All users need to do is to calibrate it: place the base unit on a moving surface, press a button, and move at the top in-game speed for 10 seconds. Once the device saves the settings, users are ready to start playing their favourite game right on their cardio machine.

TreadGaming works with Wii Nunchuks, which can be plugged into the base unit to add a versatile range of in-game options and make the experience even more exciting for users. Additionally, the device has 17 different buttons to map different actions, allowing players to interact with the games in a number of different ways.

TreadGaming currently only works with the PlayStation 3, but there are plans to make it compatible with the Xbox 360, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

The device will be funded if it reaches its goal on Kickstarter by January 26. As the campaign is looking promising, the first units will likely start shipping out in March.

Watch the video to learn more about the system and see a few game demos.