A new fitness app is available for Quest 2 and Quest Pro: Octonic. This app should turn the indoor experience on any treadmill into a VR-workout through caves or canyons. You can also race artificial intelligence (AI) or other runners using the app. Thanks to Octonic’s VR Motion Engine the use of the app should be safe as well.
During your run through caves and canyons, you have access to a basic control panel, including start and stop, as well as adjust your pace. Octonic support hand-tracking, so you won’t need to use your motion-controllers to play. The app also features built-in voice chat, so you can have a chat if you’re running with others in the multiplayer arena.
The VR-workout is safe
The VR-workout with the app should be safe, using the VR Motion Engine, says Nahiyan Ahmad, chief business officer at Octonic. “While Octonic continues building partnerships with treadmill manufacturers for full integration of their VR Motion Engine, runners using non-integrated treadmills can utilize the product today with any brand on the market using Quest’s passthrough capabilities.”
Practically this means that the app uses real-time positional tracking and a departure warning system. If you stray too far off the treadmill, the app will automatically pause and activate mixed reality passthrough to avoid any potential injuries during your VR-workout. “Converting treadmills into a VR gaming adventure is as simple as downloading Octonic VR and using it to calibrate a Meta Quest 2 or Quest Pro with a treadmill in minutes.”
Early access on Quest 2 and Quest Pro is available now, via App Lab and SideQuest.
