Preorders Start… for a $499 Gaming Treadmill

Virtual reality is a few literal steps closer.

No, really, you read that right.

You can now preorder the Virtuix Omni Natural Motion Interface, the crowdfunded (via Kickstarter)  gaming treadmill that offers full virtual reality in conjunction with another popular Kickstarter gaming project, Oculus Rift.

The contraption costs $499, and it includes the Omni platform, shoes, belt, and tracking hardware and software. A significantly more expensive option is also available at $1019.

The entire project is an attempt to bring the long held dream of Virtual Reality to fruition. “We are in the midst of a revolution in virtual reality,” said Virtuix, the company behind the device. “The release of affordable head mounted displays and low-cost sensor technologies has brought the decades-old dream of true virtual reality closer than ever, but there’s still one more piece to the puzzle: the Omni.”

While the entire thing might appear a bit too intimidating, or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, too gimmicky, its potential applications remain rather awe inspiring. We’ll have more on it for you as we learn more.

[Gamespot]

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