Omni One VR Treadmill Set to Launch for Consumers This Year

Virtual reality (VR) games strive for immersion. However, space limitations often force players to rely on controller thumbsticks or risk running into walls. Fortunately, a more immersive solution for playing VR games is on the horizon. Virtuix is preparing to release the Omni One VR treadmill. Originally slated for a 2021 release, the pandemic delayed the launch. However, to preview the planned consumer launch later this year, Virtuix has recently begun shipping Omni One units to early investors.

Also, the final introduction of the 360-degree treadmill is anticipated for late 2023. Almost 35,000 individuals are already on the waiting list. Moreover, over 900 early investors have sought to purchase beta units, with a select few acquiring theirs ahead of schedule. According to Virtuix, the beta program will steadily grow over time.

The Virtual Reality Treadmill

The Omni One VR treadmill lets players glide over its circular platform with special shoes. These shoes have sensors to track their foot movements while taking users to the virtual reality world. This creates a convincing physical movement illusion within the game’s virtual environments. The system includes multiple straps fixed on a movable arm to ensure player safety.

While the latest Omni One builds on the Omni Pro arcade treadmill, it is more compact and lightweight and can be conveniently folded and kept when users are not using it. It also provides players with additional movement options, including crouching, kneeling, walking backward, and jumping.

Virtuix’s Omni One Package

Omni One includes more than just the VR treadmill and the special shoes needed. Customers who purchase the product will receive the Pico Neo 3 Pro model headset. This headset is wireless and standalone, like the Quest 2.

The headset boasts the same processor and resolution as the Quest 2 but with a wider field of view. This wider field of view enables users to utilize the treadmill’s 360-degree movement more effectively.

The included headset provides a benefit because users do not need a high-end PC or an expensive VR headset to use the device. The Pico Neo 3 Pro headset has a value of just under $700. The headset’s price may help justify the overall price of this Omni One. It is currently listed at an “introductory price” of $2,595 plus shipping. Payment plans are available, starting as low as $65 per month.

However, it has a downside regarding hardware flexibility and limited app selection. For instance, the included Pico Neo 3 Pro headset is already considered outdated, and a Pico 4 headset would have been a more suitable choice.

The featured image is from venturedbeat.com