It’s a significant day for VR motion gear enthusiasts. Shortly after Roto VR revealed its $799 spinning gaming chair, Virtuix has finally announced the release of its long-awaited Omni One VR treadmill, set to launch on September 10. This reveal offers a sense of relief and excitement, considering this system, priced at $2,595 plus shipping, has been a labor of love for over a decade.
A while back, we highlighted its long journey with the headline, “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship.” That was on April 3 last year. Technology can seem like it’s advancing at lightning speed at times, yet there are those moments where it crawls along at a snail’s pace. Hardware startups frequently experience the latter.
Throughout these ten years of development, Virtuix has garnered significant attention. Solving locomotion in VR remains a tough nut to crack. Convincing your mind that you’re moving while standing or sitting still hardly offers a perfect solution, and it can lead to some unpleasant side effects like motion sickness.
Virtuix’s journey aligns with the burgeoning interest in mixed reality, spearheaded by pioneers like Oculus/Meta, HTC, and more recently, Apple. To date, the company has raised $40 million, fueled by a blend of venture capital and individual investors. Notably, the Omni One even enjoyed a touch of Hollywood fame, serving as a prototype for a similar system in Steven Spielberg’s movie adaptation of “Ready Player One.”
Despite its simple-looking design, the Omni One system is quite innovative. Unlike mechanical treadmills, it operates passively. Users wear special shoes and move forward by slipping in place within a concave saucer.
“With the official launch on September 10, we’re thrilled to welcome gamers into the Omni One community,” CEO Jan Goetgeluk said in a statement. “The enthusiastic feedback from our beta testers has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re eager to launch Omni One and change the gaming experience for gamers of all ages.”
During its preorder phase, Virtuix reports having sold 3,000 units of the Omni One, signaling a promising start for this much-anticipated product.
