Tag Archives: virtuix

This VR treadmill promises the ultimate immersive gaming experience from the comfort of your home!

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In an ironic way, the pandemic-caused lockdowns confining us to our home has been a blessing in disguise. In some cases, it’s helped the earth breathe a new lease of life (remember the dolphins in the canals of Venice?) and in other cases prompted ingenious designs to help us stay fit and entertained without stepping outside. A fine example of the latter is the Omni One by Virtuix – a virtual reality treadmill that’ll allow gamers to walk or run in 360-degrees inside video games and other virtual environments. The possibilities with Omni are unmatchable – it not only lets you walk but even jump, kneel, and crouch in the gaming world by mimicking the action on the treadmill in real life.

Gamers who’ve tasted the VR flavor would have heard the name Virtuix before. The start-up is currently selling a commercial version of the Omni – “Omni Pro” – to entertainment venues in over 45 countries. Now, Virtuix is coming for the first time to our homes with Omni One treadmill aimed at pushing the bounds of in-home entertainment previously set by VR headsets. Slated to debut in the second half of 2021, the omni-directional treadmill will let you feel you’re physically in a virtual world, while really sweating it out in the comfort of your home – whoever said exercise needs to be boring!

In comparison to the commercial version of the Omni, the Omni One is lighter and more compact – you can place it anywhere in the room. Compared to its predecessor that used a complete ring to hold the user in place, the Omni One comes with a single vertical bar for anchoring the user. It has a diameter of just four feet and can be easily folded up for storage. Billed as a complete entertainment system, this comes with a standalone VR headset and works without any wires or a PC connection. Just step onto the treadmill, strap on the jacket, wear the VR headset, and your good for a seamless experience. Virtuix has its own game store for the Omni One with in-house shooter games and some third-party titles – a total of 30 expected at kick-off.

The Omni One is priced at $1,995 and is announced via a crowdfunding investment campaign. Developers keen on experimenting with the product can get a “dev kit” package for $995 (VR headset not included). Others willing to invest in Virtuix can pool in $1,000 and receive shares in the company with additional perks of up to $800 discount on Omni One and a chance to jump the queue and be amid the first to get hands-on the VR treadmill.

Designer: Virtuix 

Virtuix is developing a home version of its Omni VR treadmill

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It’s been a long time since we first got to try out Virtuix’s Omni VR treadmill and the company is finally preparing to roll out a more-compact consumer version of the device. It plans to ship the gaming-focused Omni One in the second half of 2021. T...

Virtuix Omni pre-orders open, time to clear some space in the living room

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Good news for everyone who's been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to run in place. A fortnight after closing the door on a successful Kickstarter campaign, Virtuix is ready to open up Omni pre-orders. $500 will get you the massive Oculus Rift add-on, a price that includes the treadmill, a harness, those special shoes and the necessary tracking hardware and software. That price, however, doesn't include a Rift, shipping or Gatorade. Still, for a limited time, entering the "VR50" coupon code at checkout will get you $50 off.

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Source: Virtuix

Virtuix Omni VR treadmill demoed with Minecraft in multiplayer mode (video)

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Virtuix Omni gaming treadmill demoed with Minecraft in multiplayer mode

Remember that gaming treadmill that we sweated all over during E3 last month? Virtuix's Kickstarted Omni is still firmly in the prototype stage, but that's not stopping the company from putting the gigantic peripheral through its special-shoe-requiring paces. CEO Jan Goetgeluk headed to the machine shop where the first Omni was built to demo some multiplayer gaming. And what better title to try things out than with a little Minecraft? If the below video is any indication, things went relatively smoothly. Says the exec, "even though the Minecraft graphics seem unsuited for VR, the game is actually a blast with Rift and Omni." Who needs the gym?

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Virtuix Omni VR treadmill shows up at E3, we go feet-on (video)

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I'm a little nauseous and a bit sweaty. This was my first time using the Oculus Rift. It's the sort of thing you've got to ease into, really -- sitting stationary, letting your brain adjust to the whole experience. Or you could just pop the thing on and run in place on a treadmill in a downtown Los Angeles hotel suite. Your call, really. Just don't come crying to me when you're having a bit of trouble standing up straight, as you attempt to step down from the slippery surface at the end of your session. Have I seen the future? Hard to say, of course, but whatever it was that just happened was neat -- and if you were one of the 2,000 or so folks who got in on Virtuix's Kickstarter, it'll be heading your way in January.

The company's CEO, Jan Goetgeluk took me through the paces of the system, a stationary design he settled on after toying around with a more traditional treadmill model. The Omni is really quite a simple thing at its heart, a concave, slick surface attached to two bars that converge in a circle. The company's designed special soles, as well -- plastic pieces raised at the heel and ball of the foot, with a fabric friction surface on the toe. Walk around and your feet slip. That's about it, really. Of course, it takes some getting used to, and Goetgeluk stood aside as I learned to walk again: lean forward, step down on the heel and let the rest of your foot slide with it. It took a few minutes, and I'm still not exactly an expert

Gallery: Virtuix Omni VR treadmill shows up at E3, we go feet-on

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Insert Coin: Virtuix Omni VR treadmill gives gamers the run around from $249

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Insert Coin: Virtuix Omni VR treadmill gives gamers the run around

If the unison of Virtuix's Omni Treadmill and Oculus Rift got your left thumb hungry for a well deserved retirement, then it'll also want to push you in the direction of the game controller's official Kickstarter. Yup, for just $249 (if you get in there quick enough), you can snag yourself an Omni in DIY kit form plus on set of shoes (additional pairs costing $49). Those with deeper pockets can opt to get the full kit (including belt, tracking hardware and software) from $399, or go all out and get the Omni Rack (for holding your Rift control box, favorite beverage etc) and some exclusive merch on top for $539. Really dig this thing? Then why not lay down $7,999 for a custom design made from wood and steel? Those of you who are still undecided can delve into the project a little further (at the source), but it seems likely that the final retail price could be somewhat higher than that offered to Kickstarter backers so, you know, you might not want to hang around too long.

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Via: Road to VR

Source: Kickstarter

Virtuix hooks up Oculus Rift to its Omni treadmill, shows off ‘True VR’ (video)

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Virtuix hooks up Oculus Rift

Sure, Omni-directional treadmills are nothing new, but Virtuix's take is worth a mention now that it's been shown off working in conjunction with the Oculus Rift. The company's been posting videos of its Omni treadmill working with Kinect for months, but last Thursday it upped the ante by adding the Rift. All told, it makes for what looks to be an intense VR session of Team Fortress 2 -- one-upping SixSenses' Razer Hydra demo for the VR headset. The company's been working on this unit as an affordable solution for households, aiming to eventually try for funding via Kickstarter. Catch the video demo after the break and please resist throwing money at the screen in an attempt to get in on the action early.

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Via: Mashable

Source: Virtuix (YouTube)