Virtuix Uses Virtual Reality to Promote Fitness

Virtual reality gaming has always a questionable form of video gaming due to its futuristic nature.  Recently the company Virtuix has been working with the XBOX Kinect to create a treadmill like interface to give video game users a more natural experience while playing games.

This new product is being called the Omni and it has a treadmill bottom and a fixed head piece that would allow video game users to feel like they are actually in the game.  Instead of just sitting on a couch with a controller this product would provide gamers with a chance to get up and move.  The revolution of gaming has advanced, but it does not seem like many of these are as concerned with fitness.  One of the only major ones is the Wii Fit, which is a fitness program for the Nintendo Wii.  Would this give Virtuix the competitive advantage that would be needed in this market?

Virtuix has said that they will be starting a Kickstarter campaign in order to get the funding that will be needed to produce these machines.  They used Youtube as there medium in order to introduce the world to this new concept of a machine. Virtuix also held a demonstration at this year’s SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Virtuix is calling the Omni “the first omni treadmill that is affordable for household consumers.” The news is saying that this gaming device will end up costing anywhere between $400 and $600.

The largest marks that Virtuix is trying to make are that they can provide gamers with a low price product that can be small enough to fit conveniently in any household.  But with every piece of technology there is always a chance that this product may not be as cost friendly as originally planned.

I think that this is a great piece of technology that will maybe push other competitors to make even more fitness friendly machines.  Video gaming has long been blamed for causing obesity, especially in America.  However, if Virtuix is able to sell their product to families globally maybe children and adults will be more interested in being active.  Exercising can get boring for adults, but if you are able to play video games while working out and feeling like you are physically there; maybe it will encourage more people to exercise regularly.  I’m curious to see if this product will successfully work and be able to sell these devices affordably for all households.

 

Do you think Virtuix has the competitive advantage against competitors and will Virtuix be able to successfully sell these products to all consumers?

 

Do you think XBOX would consider purchasing the rights and working together with Virtuix to continue to make strides in new virtual reality ventures?

 

Would you personally purchase this product?

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417982,00.asp

http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/2013/04/21/virtuix-video-showcases-omni-compatibility-with-oculus-rift-and-team-fortress-2/

http://mashable.com/2013/04/20/video-games-treadmill-3d-headset/

http://www.virtuix.com/