Madison company unveils speed skating avatars

The opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics is Friday.
And a Madison company is off to Vancouver to unveil the world's first virtual reality speed skating avatars.

"Fitness equipment today in people's homes too quickly becomes a clothes hanger. We want to provide the excitement you don't get by just working out indoors," said Bruce Winkler of RA Sports.

What if there were technology that allowed you to bike in Australia, or run the Boston Marathon without ever leaving your home? Well, there is. And all you have to do is turn yourself into an avatar.

"We're the world leader in allowing people to go on-line and compete against other people world-wide," said Winkler.

An avatar is a fictitious character you create that becomes you on screen. Through a series of sensors placed on exercise equipment you already own RA Sports lets you can take your fitness programs to a different level.

"We actually have troops in the Middle East who take bike rides with their families back home on the weekend," said Winkler.

RA Sports is the only company in the world that allows users to compete on-line in virtual reality fitness with any equipment. And they are in Madison.

The company is unveiling their newest event, speed skating, this week at the winter games. All users need is a slideboard, sensor and the software, which totals about $200. The designers say the experience is so real, you'll fell like an Olympian.

Winkler said, "So if you set up a race for two o'clock that day. Well you need to show up and make sure you are there at two o'clock. You get the motivation. You get the excitement. You get something that is stimulating. You're not just looking at a wall. Or a TV. Your looking at a live race. Your motivated to excel. And motivated to win."

RA Sports' groundbreaking technology is on display at Disneyland and the Denver Museum of Science. The company has subscribers in nearly 50 countries all around the world.