Could VR shoes be the next big thing in augmented reality? As demand for XR experiences continues to grow in both the consumer and enterprise sectors, innovators are constantly looking for ways to make immersive experiences more engaging and user-friendly.
Countless vendors are already experimenting with advanced spatial computing capabilities that will transform how we interact with digital content, artificial intelligence is influencing the creation of XR apps and interfaces, and innovators are exploring ways to make wearables more comfortable, lightweight and convenient.
VR shoes could be the next step towards deeper immersion. Aimed at eliminating the need for bulky, expensive omnidirectional treadmills, the shoes would allow users to move freely through virtual spaces without the risk of hitting a wall. Here’s everything you need to know.
What are VR shoes? Basic knowledge
The VR shoes have built-in motorized wheels that connect to an augmented reality headset, allowing you to move freely within the metaverse environment without risking anything.
The shoes have been gaining attention recently after Freeaim announced they had raised over $316,000 in funding for their unique, clever shoes, which are set to launch in 2025. The shoes promise to give users the true feeling of “walking” in VR.
Omnidirectional treadmills have attempted to solve the problem of accidentally running into a wall while engrossed in an app or game, but Freeaim doesn’t think it’s an ideal solution.
According to Freeaim, for many people, walking on an omnidirectional treadmill doesn’t feel natural; it feels more like “skating” than walking. It’s also worth noting that these treadmills are not only expensive, but also quite large, making them difficult to adapt to certain environments. Some even require users to be supported by additional harnesses or handrails.
Freeaim’s VR shoes, on the other hand, are like motorized roller skates that allow users to walk an infinite distance in any direction while staying in place.
What are Freeaim’s VR Shoes?
Freeaim’s VR Shoes aren’t the first example of motorized shoes designed for virtual reality (more on that later), but they’re currently the hottest in the XR market.
Freeaim has been working on a pair of VR shoes for quite some time now, with some of their earliest beta testers already testing out early versions. Essentially, these shoes use an AI-powered motorized treadmill placed under the feed to allow people to move freely around the virtual world without actually having to go into the physical world.
Compatible with most VR headsets and supported by SteamVR, the shoes track your every step with an intuitive network of sensors, meaning you feel like you’re moving naturally while actively pushing back into your given space.
The shoes feature a customizable fit (for a variety of foot sizes), 360-degree support for lateral movement and alignment correction, and a lightweight, compact design that Freeaim says feels much more natural and stable than walking on a treadmill.
You can walk or jog in any direction, and you won’t need any additional harnesses or guardrails to keep you in place. Plus, unlike most VR treadmills, the shoes will be affordable (though the actual price isn’t known).
Currently, Freeaim offers a development and evaluation kit for businesses that can be ordered for around $4,999, which is quite pricey, but according to the Freeaim website, the shoe will be priced at around $1,000 when it hits the open market.
Impact on immersion
Like other innovators developing VR shoes, Freeaim believes its product offers a better solution to omnidirectional treadmills. The company even believes it could become the next most important VR accessory, alongside haptic gloves.
The VR shoes act like an omnidirectional treadmill, automatically maintaining the user’s position in the real world and correcting for changes in speed and position. Essentially, the shoes do the exact opposite of what you do in VR space: as you walk forward, the shoes slowly push you backwards, so you’re not physically moving anywhere.
The shoes are omnidirectional, allowing users to move side to side without even realizing it, and stay within a small play space of approximately 2m x 2m. All you have to do is stand in a specific space, and the shoes will track your movements in real time, keeping you safe and positioned.
It’s worth noting that Freeaim’s shoes don’t support backward walking (yet), and the company is still working on refining the design.
The evolution of VR shoes in augmented reality
As mentioned above, Freeaim is the hottest VR shoe company right now, and while the company believes it will be shipping products to customers as early as next year, it has yet to announce an official release date.
But other innovators have been experimenting with alternatives to the omnidirectional treadmill. Unfortunately, no one has yet produced anything that can match Freeaim’s technology. The closest competitor already on the market is Cybershoes.
The Cybershoes’ VR kicking feature only works when you’re sitting on the stool, which can rotate in any direction. The shoes have small wheels under the soles that measure your speed in real time and allow you to “move around” in VR.
Unfortunately, you can’t stand up while wearing the shoes, so their impact on immersion is likely quite limited. Another pioneer in the VR accessories field, Ekto VR, has also developed a set of “moon boots” designed to enhance movement in VR.
Like Freeaim’s VR shoes, the Ekto VR boots aren’t on sale yet, but developer kits are available and customers can get on a “pre-order list” for when the boots are released. At first glance, the shoes look very similar to Freeaim’s solution.
Though it’s a bit bulky, Ekto claims it’s lightweight thanks to its carbon fiber construction, and it’s equipped with AI to efficiently and accurately track your movements and keep you in place as you walk around.
The future of immersion
At the moment, there aren’t many VR shoes on the market that users can actually try out for themselves, with most innovators in this space still in the early stages of development and offering development kits to a limited number of enterprise customers.
But the rise of VR footwear represents an interesting advancement in immersive accessories. Just as haptic gloves and suits have recently garnered attention for their ability to better connect users with digital content in VR apps, VR shoes could take the world by storm. For those who work in VR, deliver unique customer experiences through immersive apps, or play in the metaverse, these shoes could solve an important problem.
These allow you to move more freely in a virtual environment without having to invest in a huge, expensive, and cumbersome treadmill. However, like haptic suits, VR shoes may not appeal to everyone, especially at the higher price point.
It will be interesting to see if immersive footwear becomes the next must-have accessory for true augmented reality fans.
