Forum Discussion
Virtuix Omni - Omni treadmill for use with the Rift
Hi all,
Wanted to introduce our Omni project to the game developers and Rift enthusiasts on this forum. With the advent of the Rift, it becomes apparent that a traditional keyboard / mouse / game pad is not conducive to great VR. Especially with the Rift, you no longer want to just sit down. At the very least, you want to be standing up. What if, instead of using a game pad to move around (with the possibility of getting motion sick while doing so), you could walk naturally and freely in the virtual world?
We have been working on the Omni for more than a year now. The Omni is the first omni treadmill focused on consumer use: affordable, compact, and enabling a user to move naturally in virtual environments such as games. Feel free to check out our website and Skyrim demo below: (note: this demo is with our old and clunky prototype :) )
http://www.virtuix.com
I believe there is a huge opportunity for game developers to create fascinating VR content. VR is a new medium that needs dedicated content, and the “killer game” that makes VR a “must-have” for a large audience. Good news: the canvas is vast and empty. I can’t wait to see what developers come up with!
We want to learn as much as possible from the input and creativity of this community, so please let us know your feedback! Let us know what you would like to change, have implemented, what questions you may have, etc.!
Best regards,
Jan
Wanted to introduce our Omni project to the game developers and Rift enthusiasts on this forum. With the advent of the Rift, it becomes apparent that a traditional keyboard / mouse / game pad is not conducive to great VR. Especially with the Rift, you no longer want to just sit down. At the very least, you want to be standing up. What if, instead of using a game pad to move around (with the possibility of getting motion sick while doing so), you could walk naturally and freely in the virtual world?
We have been working on the Omni for more than a year now. The Omni is the first omni treadmill focused on consumer use: affordable, compact, and enabling a user to move naturally in virtual environments such as games. Feel free to check out our website and Skyrim demo below: (note: this demo is with our old and clunky prototype :) )
http://www.virtuix.com
I believe there is a huge opportunity for game developers to create fascinating VR content. VR is a new medium that needs dedicated content, and the “killer game” that makes VR a “must-have” for a large audience. Good news: the canvas is vast and empty. I can’t wait to see what developers come up with!
We want to learn as much as possible from the input and creativity of this community, so please let us know your feedback! Let us know what you would like to change, have implemented, what questions you may have, etc.!
Best regards,
Jan
77 Replies
- Also, feel free to follow us on Facebook or Twitter to stay tuned regarding any updates:
http://www.facebook.com/virtuixomni
@virtuixomni (Twitter)
Best regards,
Jan - Glad to see you on this forum, Jan!
I was wondering where you were hiding :D - Some questions regarding the technology -
it uses a low friction base and the motion of the user is determined by the amount of pressure exercised on the belt? Is that correct?
Do you need to wear special shoes to use this? - Hi Sven, the tracking is currently done via a Kinect (which works surprisingly well in 360 degrees), but we are exploring integrated tracking solutions, so that you don't need a Kinect. Yes, the Omni comes with shoes that interface with the platform surface.
- Any new on when you guys will begin your kickstarter?
- Cool! been waiting for this one for awhile. I hope you guys do go with a custom sensor solution, I know it will make it a bit more expensive but I think the opportunities for development that it opens up will be more than worth it. We can always use a depth sensor in addition to what ever custom sensor solution you guys come up with.
It would also give you guys more control over your own destiny. - Agree regarding the integrated sensors; no need to rely on third parties. Plus, accelerometers and the likes are fairly inexpensive nowadays.
Currently targeting a Kickstarter launch in May. - Would it be worth sticking a cheap optical flow sensor (or two, to determine rotation) to the bottom of each foot? Or is the actual motion-across-the-walking-surface not particularly important compared to the motion when the foot is lifted?
- very neat and natural Rift companion.
Any idea what cost will be? - Hi Edzieba, do you mean an optical sensor as used in a computer mouse? One potential issue is that you would only be able to register the second half of the step (i.e., when the foot is planted and gliding back, not when the foot is moving forward), which creates a latency problem. Also would be hard to tell where you moved your foot to (as you can experience with your computer mouse, there is no tracking as soon as you lift your mouse more than 1/8" high).
Regarding costs: we are currently finalizing a manufacturing analysis to get a detailed view on costs prior to setting our Kickstarter pricing and goal. Should know more soon.
