Exciting times are ahead for VR enthusiasts with motion peripherals getting a significant boost. Just an hour after Roto VR unveiled its $799 spinning game chair, Virtuix announced that their highly anticipated Omni One VR treadmill will officially launch on September 10. Considering the treadmill has been in development for over ten years and is priced at $2,595 (excluding shipping), this announcement feels long overdue.
Notably, our previous coverage with the headline “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship” dates back to April 3 of last year. It’s interesting how technology sometimes races ahead but other times inches forward at a glacial pace. Hardware startups, it seems, often fit into the latter category.
Over the past ten years, Virtuix has managed to generate considerable interest. The challenge of creating realistic movement in VR remains unresolved. The trick of simulating motion while standing or sitting motionlessly often leads to discomfort, such as nausea.
While Virtuix has been working on its treadmill, interest in mixed reality has been growing thanks to companies like Oculus/Meta, HTC, and even Apple. So far, the startup has successfully raised $40 million through venture capital and individual investors. A boost in visibility for the Omni One came when it became the inspiration for a similar device in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of “Ready Player One.”
Despite its simplicity in appearance, the Omni One offers a clever design. Instead of using a mechanical treadmill, it leverages passive movement. Users wear special shoes to slide smoothly within a concave dish, creating a unique motion experience.
“With the launch date just around the corner on September 10, we’re thrilled to invite gamers into the Omni One community,” CEO Jan Goetgeluk shared in a press release. “The enthusiastic feedback from our beta users has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re excited to launch Omni One and revolutionize the gaming experience for everybody.”
According to Virtuix, they’ve already sold 3,000 units during the preorder phase, setting the stage for what could be a groundbreaking addition to the world of VR gaming.
