A significant day has arrived for VR motion devices: just an hour after Roto VR rolled out its $799 spinning game chair, Virtuix has announced the long-awaited launch date for its Omni One VR treadmill, set for September 10. This $2,595 system, plus shipping, has been in development for over a decade, making this announcement feel long overdue.
Last year, we ran a piece titled, “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship,” dated April 3. The tech world often swings between rapid advancements and frustrating delays, and hardware startups like Virtuix frequently find themselves caught in the latter.
Over the past ten years, the buzz around Virtuix has steadily grown, largely due to the unresolved challenge of VR locomotion. Simulating movement while the player is stationary often isn’t convincing, and can sometimes lead to issues like nausea.
During its decade-long journey, Virtuix’s efforts have coincided with a burgeoning interest in mixed reality, spurred by big names such as Oculus/Meta, HTC, and more recently, Apple. The startup has successfully raised $40 million from venture capital and individual investors combined. Additionally, the Omni One gained notable visibility by inspiring a similar concept in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of “Ready Player One.”
The Omni One stands out due to its deceptively simple design. Eschewing the complexity of a mechanical treadmill, it offers users a unique experience: wearing special shoes, they simulate movement by sliding effortlessly in a concave dish.
Expressing his enthusiasm, CEO Jan Goetgeluk shared, “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.”
Virtuix has reported selling 3,000 units during the Omni One’s preorder phase, reflecting a strong demand even before its official release.
