A $699 stand-up device for walking or running in virtual reality is basically a giant game controller for your feet.
What the heck is this I'm in? It's the Virtuix Omni...plus an HTC Vive Pre VR headset strapped to my face. But the thing I'm using to walk is the Omni.
There it is. The Virtuix Omni is a giant stand-up VR treadmill of sorts. It's $699. And it works with a number of VR systems like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Samsung Gear VR.
It comes with special shoes.
I put on the Virtuix Omni shoes, with its special trackers. They're extra slippery on the bottom.
The Omni's ringlike guardrail is opened up for me.
The shoes slide around inside this concave bowl-like area. You slip-run to walk or run around. It feels weird. The trackers on the shoes measure your movement and communicate via Bluetooth with any first-person game, according to Virtuix.
I attach the harness. Yeah, it's a lot of gear.
Buckle the straps under my legs. Nice and snug.
Here we go! The controller in my hand, and headset, are from the HTC Vive, a PC-connected VR system. They're not included.
I look around and move my feet. It's a little hard to coordinate.
OK, I'm getting tired.
I think I want to stop now.
My feet hurt. If you're passionate about the idea of a VR treadmill, you can order one of these. It's a little too intense for me.