StatHaldol's Oculus Rift mention brings to mind an idea I've had for over 25 years .... the technology wasn't even close to there when it occurred to me, but it feels like all the parts are there now, just not combined yet.
The thing is, a personal trainer on a screen would likely just annoy the living f*ck out of me. I'm so not a people person!
Also I've been working out since I was 12. I may be in crappy shape, and not having a thyroid anymore means I'll probably never look like I know what I'm doing, ever again, but .... my body tells me what it needs better than any trainer ever will.
So anyway.
Google Maps has street view, right? What about a
scenic display that you move through at the speed you're pedaling? (or on a treadmill, running?) Maybe even with a programming interface that adjusts resistance to video terrain, so that if you're going up a hill in the video, pedaling gets harder?
You could have video libraries of famous streets, trails, bike races (like doing a section of the Tour de France) and the experience would feel like cycling through the actual locations ..... right down to how fast you're going.
Any really techy bros on here, you owe me cigars when you take it to market.
~Boar