The VirtuWalk VR treadmill, navigation handlebar, and headset is now available for purchase.
According to VirtuWalk’s website, its VR technology centres around its treadmill that allows users to experience the feeling of walking within a virtual world, with a patented handlebar for navigating around corners, and a VR headset to view the simulations.
The applications are ‘endless’, and include architecture, gaming, 360° nature experiences, and a walking aid for therapy.
The Open Innovation Network VR4REHAB, which supports the creation of VR-based rehabilitation tools, shared VirtuWalk’s insights into the practical applications of its invention:
“Using the patented VirtuWalk you are ushered into a variety of virtual worlds, either alone or as part of a group.
“Visit Rome in the time of Julius Caesar. Or dive into a nest of industrious ants or visit a building under construction.
“Or take part in a therapy session involving Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). And much more.
“Thanks to VirtuWalk you can move through the world freely and in a full 360 degrees.”
VirtuWalk continued:
“With our system, the user can walk and navigate in a safe and free haptic way through 3D VR worlds.
“By means of a steering wheel, full navigation is possible whilst the steering wheel also provides stability for the user.”
‘The World at Your Feet’
VirtuWalk puts ‘the world at your feet’, allowing you to walk alone or with others in avatar form.
The treadmill and steering handlebar include sensors to facilitate user movements within the virtual reality experiences.
It also comes with safety features that will stop the treadmill in the event that the user steps off the treadmill.
As well as a VR headset, the solution comes with an optional curved screen display and a computer to run the applications, user navigation menu, and connect the treadmill and steering handlebar into the experience.
The VirtuWalk is available for purchase, with a retail cost between €35,000 and €40,000. It can also be demoed at the company’s offices in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Founding Story
The founders of VirtuWalk first create a VR-treadmill in 2015, which let people experience walking as if they were blind, walking around the busiest streets of Amsterdam with a guide dog.
Next, the founders wondered if they could create a totally interactive treadmill to explore virtual worlds. They came up with the VirtuWalk, first introduced last year.
VirtuWalk is not the only VR provider to incorporate a treadmill into its design.
XR Today’s Rebekah Carter recently reviewed the Virtuix Omni One, which utilises an omnidirectional treadmill. These treadmills give users the freedom to walk and run in an infinite VR space while ensuring they stay firmly situated in one “real world” spot.
A different approach is being used by Roto through its Roto VR Explorer to bring movement into VR experiences. The VR Explorer is a motorised chair created that can rotate 360 degrees with your head movements, and sync with your in-game audio.
Innovative VR designers have also introduced VR shoes andtactile mats, as the demand for XR experience has continued to grow amongst both enterprises and consumers.