Today’s a big day for VR enthusiasts, especially those interested in motion peripherals. Just as Roto VR shared news about their $799 spinning game chair, Virtuix finally announced that their much-anticipated Omni One VR treadmill will hit the market on September 10. And when I say ‘finally,’ I mean it—this system, priced at $2,595 (excluding shipping), has been a long time coming, over a decade in the making.
I remember writing about it not too long ago with the headline, “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship.” That was back on April 3 of last year. Technology can sometimes feel like it’s racing ahead at light speed. But then there are those instances where it creeps along, reminding us how slow innovation can be, especially for hardware startups.
Throughout the years of developing this product, Virtuix has caught the attention of many. The challenge of creating realistic VR motion, where your brain believes you’re moving even when you’re not physically going anywhere, remains unsolved. It’s no easy feat, and issues like nausea often crop up.
While timeframe has been extended, Virtuix’s journey coincided with a surge of interest in mixed reality, stirred by big names like Oculus/Meta, HTC, and now Apple, among others. The company has impressively gathered $40 million in funds through venture capital and individual investments. And who could forget the major highlight? The Omni One was even showcased as the inspiration for a system depicted in Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One.”
Now, let’s talk about the Omni One. Its design is surprisingly straightforward. Instead of using a mechanical treadmill, the system operates passively. You strap on unique shoes and ‘walk’ by slipping around on a specially designed concave surface.
With excitement bubbling over, CEO Jan Goetgeluk shared in a release, “With the official launch date set for September 10, we’re eager to welcome gamers into the Omni One community. The overwhelmingly positive reactions from our beta users have fueled our excitement, and we can’t wait to launch Omni One and transform the gaming experience for players of all ages.”
It seems Virtuix’s efforts are paying off, as they’ve already sold 3,000 units during the Omni One’s preorder phase. It’s an exciting time for gamers ready to step into a new reality.
