Virtual reality has been able to define some aspects of our lives. It has taken us to places we thought we would never be. We have been able to explore the unreal world and travel to the scariest of places. The advent of virtual reality has made all these possible.
In this modern world, VR controllers and VR headsets have replaced the eyes and hands of many VR enthusiasts. Several hours can be spent playing VR games without taking a break. The lack of regular exercise can be detrimental to our health. VR treadmills have been able to bridge the gap between video entertainment and exercise. With a VR treadmill, you can be enjoying your favorite VR game and at the same time exercising.
The VR treadmill creates a new level of immersion for VR lovers. With this gadget, you can jump, hop, squat, and even fly! All within a confined space. VR treadmills permit you to travel up high into the sky, fight some virtual battles, engage in a car race, and many more adventures! VR headsets and controllers gave us a peek of what was to come.
The combination of VR treadmills and VR gloves creates an unforgettable immersion experience. The goal of VR treadmills and gloves is to stimulate all the senses in the body. If you haven’t experienced the immersive experience that comes with VR treadmills and VR gloves before, we encourage you to give it a try. It is better experienced than described.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best VR treadmills available for purchase, we’ll also be talking about reasons why you should buy a VR treadmill.
Take your time, or grab a cup of coffee, and let us delve into the world of VR treadmill together.
CONTENTS:
- Why buy a VR treadmill
- How does a VR treadmill work
- Who are VR treadmills for
- Google’s vision of VR treadmill technology
- 4 VR treadmills currently available on the market
- Conclusion
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
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Our #1 Choice
Virtuix Omni One |
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Check on website |
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Aperium Reality K-01 Pod |
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Check on website |
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SpaceWalker VR |
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Check on website |
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Strider VR |
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Check on website |
Why Buy a VR Treadmill
The question is: why buy a VR treadmill when you can buy just a regular VR headset? Well, a VR headset can’t give you the full experience of the Virtual World, and for some people, it can be really annoying when playing a more serious game like Battlefield 5. So, to provide you with a full explanation of why a VR treadmill is better than a VR headset, here is an example.
Imagine you have just put your VR headset on. You are sitting in a chair filled with happiness, delight, and bright emotions while you are watching a 10 minutes preview from the headset developers. It seems that the experience couldn’t be better, so you are excited to try to play your favorite game, for example, Battlefield 5. Connect to the server and let the battle start. A few minutes into the game, it looks astonishing, the colors, the view, a whole new feeling of the game, but then you suddenly get a full range of experience form the physical contact, not from and enemy or environment of Battlefield, but with the favorite plasma panel, which is unlikely to return to life after such a collision. Surely something like that would annoy you and ruin your game.
This is the most real case that will happen because there isn’t enough space to properly move around in the game.
How Does a VR Treadmill Work
A VR treadmill is a mechanical device that allows you to walk in every direction and that will also enable you to have a 360-degree movement.
The VR treadmill is designed to work as a game controller, with the advantage that you can walk for real within the game environment in which you are playing.
To use the VR treadmill, you have to strap yourself into a big plastic platform, put on the unique shoe which is designed to reduce the friction and put on a waist harness that will keep you in place.
The VR treadmills use inertial sensors to track your position, the length of the stride and how fast you are moving, and then the information is sent to a computer, which transforms the given data into the game movements.
To be honest, we can say that for some of you, the VR treadmill will look like a baby walker, and you are probably right. Even though it may seem ridiculous to step in it, but when you step into the virtual world, it will take your breath away, and you will surely forget about your initial thoughts.
Who are VR Treadmills For
One of the most relevant questions when it comes to this technology is: who is it for? When you first see the picture of this gadget, you can notice that, at this stage of development, it isn’t designed and available for everyone.
You may think that it is not for everyone because of the price. Even though a VR treadmill is for most of you costly, this is just one problem. The main problem is that a VR treadmill is significantly more extensive and massive than the usual controller, keyboard, console, or compact headset.
A VR treadmill is not something that you can store under your desk or in your closet. However, let’s not forget that once a computer had such dimensions that it could barely fit in a room, and now it is something that easily fits into a compact box under the table, and almost everyone has a PC. So, in the following years, developers will find a way to transform a VR treadmill into a lighter version, and the treadmill will be publicly available for not just gamers, but for everyone.
VR treadmills aren’t just developed and designed for gamers, they are also used in psychiatry. VR headsets and treadmills can be used for treating patients who have irrational fears. For example, if someone has a fear of being in a narrow space, the Virtual World would be a part of the treatment. The patient can confront their fears by stepping into a tight space in the Virtual World.
VR therapy has turned out to be useful because patients learn step by step that they shouldn’t be afraid, but even if they do get too scared, they can step out of the Virtual world any time they want.
Google’s Vision of VR Treadmill Technology
The main problem with virtual reality is limited space. You can strap on a VR headset and be visually transported into the Virtual World, but the problem is that you can’t move around in the real world. A few steps forward, and you’d have bumped your knee on the coffee table.
The VR treadmill is one of the solutions for this ‘’small space’’ problem. The VR treadmills are so immersive that there is almost no difference between walking in the real world and the virtual reality world. However, some people won’t like this gadget because to use it, you have to strap yourself into a big plastic platform that will keep you in a restricted space and wear a waist harness.
To solve all the problems with the current VR technology, Google has put forth an exciting idea – Motorised VR Shoes. Google’s motorized VR shoes are primarily roller skates that will let the user walk normally.
With the help of Google’s VR shoes, it will seem to you like you are walking endlessly in the virtual environment, while the motors and wheels work to negate your natural locomotion and keep you inside a VR safe zone.
Google’s idea is to track the user’s feet with the help of the shoes. So, when the user is too close to the virtual walls of the VR area, the track system will detect that and wheel the user back into the safe place.
The Motorised Shoes are just a patent for now because they are still struggling to work out how to do this without the user falling over. Another problem with these shoes is that some people will feel strange walking outside in the real world while seeing just the virtual world. Sound a little bit creepy, but we all will get used to it someday.
Even though Google’s new patent is not the holo-room we all dream of, it is one step closer to it.
The 4 VR Treadmills Currently Available On The Market
Now that you’re familiar with VR treadmills, you can check out our list of 5 best VR treadmills you can currently buy as an end-user.
1. Virtuix Omni One
This is one of the best VR treadmills that is available for purchase in the tech market. If you are a lover of VR shooting games, Virtuix Omni is the best you can get. This VR treadmill allows you to move in a 360-degree fashion. This product is more portable than its predecessors. It has just a single upright bar that you attach to instead of a ring covering used by former products.
What the Virtuix Omni One does is hold you in place while you move both of your feet across the restricted platform. This product is super easy to use; it can be folded and safely kept after each VR session. This treadmill gives the absolute feeling of uninhibited freedom while playing a VR game.
This omnidirectional VR product allows you to jump, crouch, and run. All these actions occur within a virtual world. What makes a VR treadmill different from other forms of virtual reality is the fact that a user is actively involved in the process instead of using directional controllers or pressing a button. Nausea is a common feeling associated with extended VR use, but with the Virtuix Omni One, such an unpalatable feeling is eliminated.
The Virtuix Omni One was initially launched in the early part of 2021. Two versions were launched together. The first version which is being sold for $1,995 provides you with a treadmill, a standalone VR headset, and operating software. Virtuix provides the option of paying $55 every month.
The other version released is meant for those who already own a VR headset. The Omni One works in conjunction with the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. So all they get is the Omni One which is priced at $995. For this version, you need a PC to connect with the Omni One. Overall, Virtuix Omni One is a VR treadmill worth buying.
Pros
- Easy to use: no special tutorial is needed to use this treadmill. It can be folded and safely kept after use
- No speed limit: users can move as fast as they want
- The game movements are designed to align with users’ speed and position
- It permits users to move in all known directions
Cons
- Not budget-friendly: this product is one of the most expensive VR treadmills in the market
- Not well suited for tall people: very tall people always have to squat or bend when using this treadmill
Bottom line
From the reviews, this VR treadmill is one of the best available in the tech market. The fact that it has no speed limit for users makes it stand out. Great product! Highly recommended.
2. Aperium Reality K-01 Pod
This product is the world’s largest VR treadmill. This product reorients the VR world imperceptibly by changing a uni-dimensional treadmill into an omnidirectional type. In other words, it uses the V-Orient technology to give users the impression that they are moving diagonally in every direction when in fact they are only moving in the forward direction.
The treadmill belt of this product changes its speed consistently, depending on what is taking place in the virtual reality world. The V-Orient technology also controls the speed of the treadmill in a manner that ensures the stability of the user. This VR treadmill is super easy to use. All you need to do is put on a belt and wear a headset, then you are ready to start exploring the VR world. No special tutorial is required to start using this VR treadmill.
Since this product has just a few mobile parts, this makes it very easy to clean and maintain. Unlike other VR treadmills, it has a low maintenance cost. The K-01 has been tested across different age groups (10-80 years), the heights of various categories of people were also tested. The results of various tests show it is quite safe across different demographics.
For the V-Orient technology to function, you must input your navigation details for it to determine your position and your no-go areas. This product is well equipped with a comprehensive toolkit that takes notes of any navigational constraints. There is equally an in-built ATX computer that is responsible for generating a video signal which is sent to the VR head-mounted display. It is being sold within the range of $3000 to $4000. It is a great product to have.
Pros
- Compatible with most VR headsets: this gadget works with nearly every VR headset
- Low maintenance cost
- Any third-party developer can configure an app on this treadmill
Cons
- Very bulky: transporting this treadmill from one place to another requires a lot of effort
Bottom line
The inbuilt ATX computer mechanism makes this VR treadmill unique. Although it is quite large and heavy, it is still worth buying. Highly recommended!
3. SpaceWalker VR
This product is a mono-directional VR treadmill made by a Turkish-based company. This VR treadmill allows users to move either in a forward and backward direction. This gadget gives users the freedom to explore the virtual reality world. The spacewalker VR is equipped with a spherical platform that allows users to move freely in any direction. This gadget has a sensor-controlled waistband that equally enables users to move freely.
This VR treadmill is powered by 4 electric engines. This gadget has an inbuilt gyroscope that permits a user to engage in different sorts of activities like shooting, running, picking up an object, and lots more. The spherical platform earlier mentioned also depends on this integral joystick or gyroscope to rapidly move around. The movement made by the platform also depends on the direction of the user’s body.
This VR treadmill is equipped with pressure sensors that note the movements and strides taken by a user. When these sensors notice an increased number of strides taken by the user, then it automatically alters the speed for the stability of the user. For safety reasons, the SpaceWalker VR is designed with a single button a user can punch to either increase or decrease the speed of the treadmill. Even if the pressure sensors are faulty, you can always rescue yourself.
This VR treadmill is compatible with some popular headsets like Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. The gross weight of this treadmill is 120kg. Although VR treadmills are quite pricey, the price for this product is way above the range of price of similar VR treadmills. It is sold for $9,800. It is quite expensive, but this VR treadmill is worth buying if you can afford to buy one.
Pros
- Enhanced safety features: integrated sensors automatically regulate speed for user stability
- Compatible with different kinds of headsets
- It allows extra actions like shooting and picking up objects by users
Cons
- Movement is only restricted to just forward and backward directions
- The product doesn’t permit crouching
Bottom line
No other VR treadmill can match up with the safety features of the SpaceWalker VR treadmill. These safety features make it unique. Highly recommended for purchase.
4. Strider VR
Strider VR is markedly different from the regular virtual reality VR we are used to. It is an omnidirectional VR treadmill. The makers of this product took a slightly different approach to what is common in the VR market. This treadmill uses a rotatable ball positioned strategically above the treadmill. This gadget is built with two Microsoft Kinect sensors that monitor the movements and strides of users.
Quite a lot of omnidirectional treadmills we know about allow users to move in a 360-degree fashion. But this treadmill doesn’t operate in the same manner, it uses the Microsoft Kinect-based system to ensure that your body keeps facing the direction of the sensors, this treadmill would then create the impression that users can move in any direction.
This product also uses DC motors for rotational and linear displacement of users. The DC motors ensure that users stay within the treadmill platform. According to the manufacturer’s description: “this VR treadmill creates a near-perfect illusion of walking in the virtual world”. The concept associated with the Strider VR is intriguing, we observed it blends the use of full-body tracking and walking within the treadmill platform.
One of the main problems with this product lies with the understanding of virtual movement. The system has to be better at providing responsive virtual movement. It relies too heavily on the Microsoft Kinect-based system. In a nutshell, this treadmill is not suitable for fast-paced VR games or any sort of movement that demands quick turns. The stride VR is built for a walking speed of up to 6 km/hr. It is not suitable for running and jogging.
One of the things we love about Strider VR is that it is supported by nearly any kind of virtual reality application. Additionally, any special type of clothing or footwear is not necessary to use this VR treadmill. This treadmill is indeed worth buying!
Pros
- Unique Microsoft Kinect sensors: these sensors monitor the movement and strides of users
- It is supported by any kind of VR application
- It combines the use of full-body tracking and walking within the treadmill platform
Cons
- It is not suitable for fast-paced VR games or any sort of movement that demands quick turns
Bottom line
The Microsoft Kinect-based sensors make this VR treadmill unique. The only drawback is that it is not suitable for running and jogging. It also doesn’t require any special footwear. It’s an awesome treadmill to have.
Conclusion
At the end of this article, we would like to mention that many people love the idea of having a VR treadmill, while the other half dislikes this idea. If you belong to the first group of people, you might ask yourself why the others are thinking that the VR treadmill is not a great thing.
Some of the problems with the VR treadmills are the vast dimensions of it. If you want such a product, you will have to make space for it. The other disadvantage, for now, is that it is not made for a vast audience. The problem is that the treadmills are not made for every body type. So, if you are a little bit taller or smaller than the average person, the ring around your waist won’t fit you.
Some people also complain about the way you have to step into this device. It is too much struggle.
All in all, let’s not forget that the VR treadmills are still in the development phase, which means that the treadmills are currently not something that everybody can have in their house like a PC. We are sure that in the following years, all the problems with VR will be solved and that it will be available for everybody.
Until that, those of you who do not have a problem with the VR treadmills can enjoy their immersive VR experience.
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