Exciting times ahead for fans of VR motion peripherals! Just an hour following Roto VR’s announcement of their $799 spinning game chair, Virtuix finally pegged down September 10 as the launch date for its much-anticipated Omni One VR treadmill. This system, priced at $2,595 plus shipping, has been eagerly awaited, having been in development for over a decade.
I recall our earlier piece on this very treadmill, headlined, “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship.” That was back on April 3 last year. It’s fascinating how technology seems to evolve at breakneck speed sometimes, while other times it crawls at a snail’s pace. Many hardware startups find themselves in the latter category.
During its 10-year journey, Virtuix has gathered considerable interest. The challenge of locomotion in VR remains largely unsolved. Simulating movement when you’re otherwise stationary is far from ideal and can often bring about undesirable effects like nausea.
Virtuix’s timeline has intersected with a growing interest in mixed reality, championed by the likes of Oculus/Meta, HTC, and now Apple. The startup reports that they’ve raised a hefty $40 million, combining venture capital and individual contributions. The Omni One also gained significant exposure, being featured as a model in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of “Ready Player One.”
The Omni One, despite its apparent simplicity, doesn’t rely on a mechanical treadmill. Instead, it operates passively, allowing users to wear special shoes and glide in place on a concave saucer-shaped platform.
“With our official launch date set for September 10, we’re thrilled to invite gamers into the Omni One community,” CEO Jan Goetgeluk noted in a statement. “Feedback from our beta users has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s fueling our anticipation to roll out Omni One and redefine gaming experiences for everyone.”
Virtuix has successfully pre-sold 3,000 units of the Omni One during its preorder phase, signaling strong interest and belief in what’s set to be a groundbreaking addition to the VR gaming landscape.