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.
What is Omni Treadmill by Virtuix?
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.
Key Features of the Omni One VR Treadmill
With Omni One, users can benefit from the following features:
- A consumer-grade VR treadmill that can be installed anywhere – unlike the commercial Omni that targeted specific entertainment locations, Omni One is consumer-facing. It does not have a fixed support ring, which means that users can install it in their homes and personal spaces.
- Flexibility and freedom of movement – A light frame and folding body for storage are among the features of the Omni One, which Virtuix claims is suited for home-usage. It also has a freedom of mobility for walking, jogging, squatting, and leaping, and accomplishes this by moving the feet on a low-friction parabolic surface with a low-friction coating, which necessitates the use of special low-friction footwear.
- The option to go plug-and-play or customize – The Omni One package contains a standalone Pico Neo 2 VR headset in the device’s promotional material. Users may also connect the Omni One to a computer and play PC-based VR games using their own headsets. However, the device is intended to be a full solution that works out of the box.
- IMU-based foot tracking – The unique foot-tracking capability activates when the user puts on Omni’s purpose-built shoes. It makes virtual movements feel extremely responsive, and even recreates the phenomenon of analogue speed, where the faster one moves physically on the treadmill, the faster they will move in VR. This has immense potential for gaming apps in the workout and exercise segment.
- A compact design that you can easily put away – The Omni One VR treadmill is smaller than previous generations, making it an excellent choice for use in one’s home. The VR user is now attached to a single vertical bar, rather than to a single ring that surrounds the whole VR treadmill, making the design more compact and comfortable. It is also foldable, which makes it convenient to store.
Getting Started with Omni VR Treadmill
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.
Pricing and the Bottom Line
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.
