No doubt the same pneumatic technology could be used in a pair of shoes. I personally play barefoot and prefer the freedom of movement and improved balance bare feet afford. Though some people find more mobility in shoes.
A pneumatic mat is one size fits all whereas shoes capable of withstanding the movement of room-scale VR players (and their safety) become expensive quickly. You’d want as close to custom fit as possible.
I’m guessing haptic shoes are as inevitable as gloves, but the path towards affordable mass market solutions is long. Something like a pneumatic mat could be a more affordable interim solution.
Haptic VR Mats make sense for VR Arcades as well, just considering cleanliness and equipment rental costs. Though Bowling Alleys, Roller Rinks, and Ski Slopes have made renting footwear work, I’m guessing Haptic Boots will be pricey.
Haptic floor mats are conceptually easy to put together, but I wonder about cost and if developers could create intriguing enough use cases to spark user adoption. In a few years when more VR players are used to room-scale experiences and are actively seeking the next level for immersion we might see full body haptics flourish.
My eyes are on the competitive VR market. Those players will be the first adopters of any tech capable of giving an edge.
