The Omni from Virtuix is one such treadmill aimed at home users and its creators recently demonstrated its use with the Oculus Rift, providing a tantalizing glimpse of its potential to provide an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience and really get gamers moving.

 

Similar in form to the WizDish and Stringwalker, and much more compact than the CyberWalk platform, the Omni features a sloped octagonal platform topped with a low friction surface. Unlike the aforementioned WizDish, which requires users to “moonwalk” across its slick surface, the Omni requires the user to wear special shoes that have a low friction sole and a plunger pin that fits into radial grooves on the surface of the treadmill.

 

Virtuix says this plunger pin/groove arrangement allows for a more natural and steady gait by stabilizing the feet and preventing them from sliding sideways. Additional stability is provided by the device’s waist support ring and belt that help the user walk on the Omni hands free. The ring is height adjustable and the belt will come in various sizes to accommodate teens to adults.