In China, human drivers already stand by to remotely take over robotaxis when needed. That alone tells you remotely operated vehicles are no longer science fiction. Naturally, remotely operated humanoids cannot be far behind. As a matter of fact, it is already starting to happen. Yes, really!
The Bruce Willis Surrogates future is creeping closer. Except there is no reclining comfortably in a pod while your robotic double handles everything. You will have to walk. Literally. Every step you take, the robot takes too. No neural link. No shortcuts. Just you, a treadmill, and a robotic body somewhere else doing your bidding. Virtuix, maker of full-body virtual reality systems, is now working with the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation & Training to prove it can be done using the Omni One omnidirectional treadmill.
Instead of joysticks, buttons, or awkward remote controls, the Omni One lets the operator simply walk. Walk forward, and the robot walks forward. Turn left, and the robot follows. The treadmill supports full 360-degree movement, allowing natural locomotion in any direction without physical boundaries. This solves one of the biggest problems in humanoid robot teleoperation, which is translating human motion into something that does not look like a malfunctioning shopping cart.
The operator sees through the robot’s perspective using a system called vDen, a stereoscopic projection environment that surrounds the user visually. Unlike typical VR setups, this does not require a headset. The operator stands inside a CAVE-like space where visuals are projected around them, improving comfort and awareness. It also allows other people in the room to interact and collaborate without someone waving their arms blindly while wearing goggles.
Virtuix is also working with robotics company 1HMX on the Nexus NX1 system, which combines the Omni One treadmill with HaptX Gloves G1. These gloves provide tactile and force feedback, allowing operators to feel interactions remotely. This full-body system not only controls robots in real time but also captures detailed human motion data to help train autonomous humanoid robots.
Key features include 360-degree omnidirectional walking, real-time locomotion mirroring, stereoscopic projection through vDen, and full-body motion capture with tactile feedback integration.
Images: Virtuix.
