Virtuix, a pioneer in the VR treadmill space, is back with a new offering for consumers—the Virtuix Omni One. After a decade-long journey, the company aims to bring an all-in-one VR treadmill system to the masses. The Omni One promises to provide an immersive experience by allowing users to run in any direction while exploring virtual worlds.

The original Virtuix Omni treadmill concept took shape in 2013, well before the widespread availability of consumer VR headsets. The idea was simple—to create a treadmill that would sync with VR headsets, enabling users to move freely in the virtual environment. However, turning this vision into reality proved challenging due to the treadmill’s size, weight, and cost, making it more suitable for out-of-home VR attractions than consumer use.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is taking its training to the next level with the introduction of deeply immersive virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) simulations. Developed in collaboration with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), the multi-sensory training suits engage four of the five human senses to provide trainees with a realistic and intense experience.

In these cutting-edge simulations, trainees wear VR headsets that transport them to virtual environments, complete with visual and auditory cues. However, the realism doesn’t end there. The suits are equipped with heating elements to replicate the heat from flames and a scent-emitting tube that releases smells associated with different scenarios, such as the smell of burning cars. A replicated spreader cutter with magnets simulates the resistance of cutting through real materials like car metal, providing trainees with tangible feedback during the exercise.