How VR Treadmills Revolutionize Virtual Reality Experiences

With the inclusion of Virtual Reality features directly from major video platforms like YouTube, to personal VR gaming devices becoming cheaper and readily available in a wide variety of options, VR has graduated from a shocking new technological development to standard affair in our modern age.

But what if you combined a VR experience, which is typically a stationary video-or-game consuming experience, with the ability to freely move around in your own physical space and have that accurately represented in the virtual space, one-to-one?

That’s the sort of development that shakes up the VR landscape, and it’s exactly the experience that VR treadmills provide.

What Is a VR Treadmill?

VR treadmills (occasionally referred to as “omnidirectional treadmills”) are not like any treadmill one finds at a gym.

Instead of a rectangular-shaped base and a standing set of hand rails with a control panel, VR treadmills are often circular or hexagonal in shape, and hold up the user with an elaborate tether. And there won’t be any belts to be found on these treadmills, as instead the walking platforms are organically designed to allow the user to glide across the surface, without the need of motorized systems.

Every VR treadmill design is different. Some companies create models that anchor around the user’s midsection, securing them to the device in that fashion, while others have models that anchor to the torso, not unlike a backpack. A few models have stationary base platforms, while other more advanced models have built-in rotation features to further enhance the VR experience. Many models are slim, while others are quite bulky and take up a fair bit of space.

What Benefits Does a VR Treadmill Provide?

One of the longest-lasting problems inherent in virtual reality technology has been movement. Our brains struggle to connect between our eyes perceiving movement while our bodies remain stationary. VR treadmills fix this fundamental issue with VR tech.

Because these treadmills are omnidirectional, users can move in any direction they desire, in sync with their virtual avatar. This synchronization has the effect of stabilizing our brains, greatly reducing the chances of disorientation or motion sickness. Better still, it further enhances the immersive quality that VR is known for, creating a truly unmatched experience.

Comfort and immersion aren’t the only thing that VR treadmills are able to provide for VR experiences.

VR treadmills, by their very nature, actively promote fitness. Alongside invigorating virtual experiences, users of VR treadmills reap a wide range of health benefits. These benefits range from encouraging healthy lifestyles, to losing weight, to building muscle. VR treadmills are even used for training programs, educational studies, and rehabilitation/physical therapy.

It’s all dependent on the VR program being played in conjunction with the treadmill, and hundreds of programs are offered.

The classic virtual reality experience is that of gaming, of exploring and surviving fantastical landscapes and overcoming enemies. There’s no shortage of highly-reviewed VR games whose immersion is only heightened thanks to VR treadmills. Non-gaming VR programs exist too, in the form of specialized software that provide heightened benefits within the virtual realm.

On the horizon, some VR program developers have even worked on programs with tourism benefits. One such soon-to-be-released program allows users to virtually visit and freely explore several major tourist destinations, all within a fleshed-out and fully-realized virtual space. And with a VR treadmill, these locations will provide nearly the same exciting experience as visiting these locations in-person.

Current Limitations of VR Treadmills

VR headsets on their own bring a variety of concerns and limitations. Those setbacks are only increased when a VR treadmill is considered. Space requirements are a big hang-up for many prospective users, as is the complex setup procedure. Somewhat obviously, VR treadmills also lack the portability options that their smaller headset companions enjoy.

As this technology continues to grow, other more ethical- and legal-oriented concerns need to be taken into consideration. Privacy and safety standards are the main area of potential issue, but data security and content moderation are also aspects under constant improvement by leading developers in the field. These regulations will grow stronger and more user-friendly as VR treadmills continue to grow as an industry.

There is also the issue of the price of VR treadmills, which is, perhaps, the biggest factor to note.

What Are Some Currently-Available VR Treadmill Options?

The majority of commercially available VR treadmills are far from cheap. Unlike simpler VR experiences such as gaming headsets, VR treadmills are still an evolving technology. This can make it a pricy prospect to jump onboard with. However, the incredible and unforgettable experience they provide just might be worth the steep price point.

For those in the market, check out some of the highest-rated options available right now:

• Virtuix – Omni One ($3495) ~ An all-in-one VR treadmill package that includes its own Omni game store, alongside providing connection to other popular VR services.
• Kat – Walk C 2 Core ($999+) ~ A cheaper alternative to the Omni One that shares much in common, but requires third-party VR games and does not include its own.
• Kat – Walk C 2 Core Plus Sitting/Vehicle Module ($1497+) ~ Similar to the above option, but includes a specially-tailored seat. The seat allows for immersive experiences that require sitting, such as vehicle driving.

The Ever-Evolving VR Treadmill Landscape

As stated above, VR treadmills are at the forefront of emerging technology in the virtual reality field, and as such are constantly undergoing new updates and improvements. This is especially true as competing model providers jockey for the lion’s share of the consumer market.

What makes this particularly interesting is the inherent promise that for as exciting as this tech seems now, it will only get better with time. The more that developers tinker with the tech and make it consumer-friendly, the more the average person will benefit.

Before too long, it might not be a ridiculous prospect to see a VR treadmill in nearly every home.