As virtual reality becomes more common, we will need ways to get into the virtual world without accidentally crashing into our furniture. Cat VR is hoping it’s up to the challenge through the second generation of the Cat Walk C VR Treadmill.
Originally reported by Road to VR, the Cat Walk C2 is basically an all-encompassing treadmill that allows the user to move “freely” about a virtual environment as naturally as real life. This includes walking, jogging, running, dodging, jumping, kneeling, and other actions you can perform in a sport.
CatVR says the C2 features one-to-one real-time foot tracking using an optical sensor with a latency of less than 10 milliseconds.
There is also a C2 Plus model that allows the user to sit. In the YouTube video you can see below, the company showed a man using a chair attachment to get into a virtual car. This will greatly improve the immersion during driving games.
As for VR headset compatibility, Cat VR says the C2 has universal compatibility with all major headsets and works with all free Locomotive games on all platforms.
Cat VR launched its original Cat Walk VR treadmill on Kickstarter in 2015. This was followed by Cat Walk C in 2020. It is again going for crowdfunding as it will launch the C2 on May 14.
There will be different pricing tiers on Kickstarter:
- Super Cater Extra Early Bird: $698
- Additional Early-Bird: $798
- Early-bird: $898
- Special Kickstarter Offer: $998
The C2 Plus model, which includes the aforementioned chair and haptics, is sold as an add-on for $200.
Though it is expensive, it is around the same price at which the Virtuix Omni was launched. Additionally, Cat C2 does not require the Microsoft Kinect for spatial awareness. It looks like the Strider VR can track movement better than a treadmill.
That said, the Omni and even the original Cat Walk have had commercial success. Cat VR is hoping to position the C2 for the consumer audience. This will make VR more palatable for people who don’t have large, dedicated spaces for VR movement.
After a Kickstarter launch for the Cat C2 on May 14, the first units are slated to debut in July.
Editors’ Recommendations
