It’s an exciting time for VR motion tech enthusiasts. Just an hour after Roto VR introduced its $799 spinning game chair, Virtuix has finally revealed that its long-awaited Omni One VR treadmill will be launching on September 10. If you’re wondering why I say “finally,” it’s because this $2,595 system (not including shipping) has been in development for over a decade.
Reflecting on our previous coverage, it’s a classic case of tech development that feels like a marathon rather than a sprint. Our last story on this treadmill had the headline, “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship,” published on April 3 of the previous year. While some technologies seem to leap ahead at an astonishing pace, others, like hardware startups, take their sweet time.
Over these ten years of development, Virtuix has piqued plenty of interest. The challenge of locomotion in VR remains largely unresolved. Convincing your mind that you’re moving, while staying physically static, can be less than ideal and may cause unwanted effects like nausea.
Virtuix has been on this journey during a period of growing interest in mixed reality, with giants like Oculus/Meta, HTC, and Apple leading the charge. The company has raised a significant $40 million from venture capital and individual investors. Moreover, Omni One gained major attention as it inspired a similar system in the film adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One.”
The design of the Omni One is elegantly simple. Instead of using a mechanical treadmill, it operates passively. Users wear special shoes and move by sliding their feet on a concave base, giving the illusion of walking without actually advancing.
“With the official launch date set for September 10, we’re eager to welcome gamers into the Omni One community,” said CEO Jan Goetgeluk in a recent statement. “The incredibly positive feedback from our beta testers has fueled our enthusiasm, and we’re excited to launch Omni One and revolutionize the gaming experience for people of all ages.”
During its preorder phase, Virtuix has successfully sold 3,000 units of the Omni One.
