Virtuix Set to Launch VR Treadmill This September

There’s a buzz in the air for VR motion peripherals today. Just an hour after Roto VR unveiled its $799 spinning game chair, Virtuix has stepped into the spotlight by announcing the launch date of their hotly-anticipated Omni One VR treadmill: mark your calendars for September 10. This cutting-edge $2,595 system, excluding shipping, has been a long time coming—over a decade, in fact.

Reflecting on our past coverage, it’s amusing to recall the headline from last April: “A decade later, this VR treadmill is finally ready to ship.” Technology sometimes feels like it evolves at lightning speed, yet there are moments when it drags its feet. Many hardware startups undoubtedly find themselves in that latter category.

Over the years of crafting this innovative machine, Virtuix has certainly caught the attention of many. Locomotion within VR remains a big puzzle to solve. Convincing yourself that you’re moving while you’re actually stationary can lead to an unsettling wave of motion sickness.

The timeline of Virtuix coincided neatly with a surge in mixed reality interest, with key players like Oculus/Meta, HTC, and now Apple making significant incursions into the industry. To date, they’ve secured an impressive $40 million through a blend of venture capital and personal investments. The Omni One got a major boost in visibility by being featured in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of “Ready Player One.”

The Omni One, though it appears simple, holds some surprises. Unlike conventional treadmills with mechanical parts, this one is all about passive motion. You slip into specially designed shoes and, within the curved platform, you propel yourself forward without actually moving out of place.

“With September 10 set as the official launch date, we can’t wait to bring gamers into the Omni One family,” CEO Jan Goetgeluk shared in an enthusiastic release. “Our beta testers’ positive feedback has been incredibly motivating, fueling our excitement as we look forward to redefining gaming for enthusiasts of every age.”

Virtuix has already seen a strong response, having sold 3,000 units during the pre-order phase for the Omni One.