Omni is a series of 360-degree treadmills by Virtuix that enable full-body VR experiences
Virtual reality (VR) treadmills offer a potential solution to the longstanding problem of mobility in virtual worlds. Since the rise of VR, users have been restricted to linear motion and a limited field of view.
It has also been nearly impossible to move around with the flexibility of 360-degree views and navigation, which makes immersive experiences less than realistic.
VR treadmills aim to resolve this by providing users with a stationary space fitted with an omnidirectional conveyor belt-like device. Virtuix is a pioneer in this space, in operation for over six years. Now, with the launch of Omni One just as the Metaverse gains momentum, Virtuix’s VR treadmills should definitely be on its fans’ radar.
Omni is a series of 360-degree treadmills by Virtuix that enable full-body VR experiences, which are available in the original Omni and Omni one editions.
At the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Virtuix first unveiled its first production-ready Omni treadmill. Improved features over early prototypes included a safety ring with an adjustable height, a more comfortable and practical strap, inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based tracking capsules that attach to the user’s shoes, as well as a collapsable form factor for more easily for storage purposes.
At that time, the device was available for pre-order at $499, with a retail price of $699 later on.
Over the years, the company kept refining and evolving its VR treadmill technology and design, and hoped to eventually achieve widespread adoption, picking up a sizable amount of new funding along the way.
Virtuix announced a crowdfunding campaign in 2020 to support the introduction of Virtuix Omni One. Individual investors later contributed $19 million USD to the funding round’s second phase, which was completed in 2021.
All of this culminated in the launch of Omni One, which is a consumer-ready version of the original Omni specifically for gaming use cases. The end-to-end gaming and entertainment solution comes with its own VR headset and gaming app store, requiring no additional peripherals, cables, or setup.
With Omni One, users can benefit from the following features:
Omni is compatible with a wide variety of VR headsets from major manufacturers like HTC VIVE and Meta Quest, and unlike some VR kit, users can operate the Omni with any game that has controller support.
Since user movements are translated into the movement of a thumbstick, the Omni is compatible with a wide range of VR games, which is a significant advantage, and compared to similar VR equipment such as the Teslasuit with only two compatible games, the Omni is light years ahead of the competition.
It takes just a few minutes to set up the Omni: simply unpack the box, plug it in, and start playing. Everything, including the gear and software, is ready out of the box, and users no longer need to connect it with a PC as it comes with over 30 VR games ready to play.
Omni One is not merely another VR treadmill but is a complete home entertainment solution that provides users with an end-to-end immersive experience with zero installation hassles – at a premium price point.
Consumers can buy the Omni One VR treadmill from $1,995 to $2,295, or finance in instalments of $55 to $65 per month. More advanced users can choose the Developer Edition which retails for $995, and includes only the treadmill without a connected headset.
Apart from its premium pricing, the roadblock to adoption is its delayed launch. Omni One was scheduled for launch in 2021 but is yet to become widely available beyond initial testing. However, once the Omni One VR treadmill hits the shelves, it is sure to transform VR experiences for good.
All content © Today Digital 2022
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Market Guide will be sent to you.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Please fill out the form below and your Media Kit will be sent to you.
Please fill out the form below and your Media Kit will be sent to you.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Media Kit will be sent to you.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Media Kit will be sent to you.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Media Kit will be sent to you.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Smart Guide will be sent to you.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Smart Guide will be sent to you.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Media Kit will be sent to you.
Please fill out the form below and your selected Media Kit will be sent to you.