Rumsskala

Rumsskala, or room-scale, is a term used in virtual reality to describe a tracking setup that allows a user to move physically within a defined play area while the virtual environment tracks that movement in real time. In room-scale systems, the position and orientation of the headset and controllers are determined relative to the boundaries of the space, enabling natural locomotion inside the virtual world.

The tracking can be provided by external base stations or sensors (such as Valve's Lighthouse system or other outside-in configurations) or by built-in cameras on the headset (inside-out tracking). A boundary or guardian system is typically used to mark the limits of the play area and to warn the user when they approach the edge, helping prevent collisions with real-world objects.

Space requirements vary, but a typical minimum for a comfortable room-scale experience is about 1 by 1 meter, with 2 by 2 meters or more recommended for more expansive movement. Many setups scale up to 3 by 3 meters or larger. Safety considerations include clearing the area of obstacles, securing loose cables, and using floor mats or padding to reduce injury risk during vigorous movement.

History and use have been closely tied to consumer VR’s development. Room-scale popularized around the mid-2010s with the introduction of headsets and tracking systems that required a dedicated play space, notably the HTC Vive and related technologies, though earlier research and prototype systems explored similar concepts. Today, room-scale VR remains common in gaming, simulation, and training applications, emphasizing immersive, natural movement within a confined physical environment.