Virtual reality graphics have evolved to such a great degree that they’ve come quite close to looking real, but that illusion quickly breaks down when it comes to other parts of the experience. We still use sticks and wands to manipulate objects, something we don’t do in the real world, and we’re forced to stand or sit in place as if rooted to the spot. Of course, it’s dangerous to be moving around when your eyes are covered, as proven by plenty of anecdotal evidence.
VR and AR gloves, which are still in development, can potentially fix the hand-holding problem, pun intended, but you still need to limit your body movement for the sake of safety. VR treadmills, odd as they might seem, offer a possible solution to this conundrum, and the latest addition to this extremely small roster is bringing that design to more VR believers.
Designer: Virtuix
This isn’t your regular treadmill, of course. Completely absent is the familiar belt that moves backward to force you to compensate and walk or run forward. Instead, you have a concave disc base that turns and tilts as you move, reversing the relationship between your body and the ground you’re walking on. Combined with special shoes and sensors, this setup can detect whether you are walking, running, leaning, or crouching, allowing you to actually perform the body movements that are then translated into game movements.
The Virtuix Omni One Core’s aluminum arm and support vest are the parts that keep you from actually running off or falling, which is the biggest peril when using VR systems. In other words, rather than using your handheld controllers to walk, which is how many VR experiences implement movement, you’re actually using your feet this time, creating a more natural experience as far as movement goes. You’ll still need those controllers to swing your sword or fire your gun, of course.
The Omni One Core is the latest in Virtuix’s “omnidirectional” treadmills, as opposed to earlier designs that actually looked like regular treadmills. It boasts an easy assembly process that requires no tools, as well as wheels that allow you to move it anywhere in the room. The Virtuix Omni One Core costs $2,595 and includes the specialized shoes you need to wear over your own shoes and foot trackers. It’s $900 cheaper than the Omni One, but that’s because you will need to provide your own PC-compatible VR system, like the Meta Quest or HTC Vive, rather than use Virtuix’s own device.