Virtuix Inc., a developer of full-body virtual reality systems, has announced the integration of AI-driven Gaussian splatting technology into its Virtual Terrain Walk system for training and simulation in the defense sector. Gaussian splatting is an AI-based 3D reconstruction technique that rapidly transforms real-world environments captured with 360-degree cameras into photorealistic, navigable 3D worlds. The process of creating high-fidelity virtual environments used to take months, but now, thanks to AI-powered 3D reconstruction, this can be completed in mere hours. That capability is ideally suited for VTW, which aims at creating immersive simulations of the battlefield that are as real as possible.
VTW leverages Virtuix’s omni-directional treadmills and Gaussian splatting technology to enable commanders and units to virtually walk through geo-specific terrain for immersive mission planning, reconnaissance and leader rehearsals. With VTW, units can physically walk in 360 degrees without boundaries to get familiar with the battlespace, identify key areas, determine kill zones, place weapons and mark routes. Virtuix said VTW overcomes the limitations of current simulations that don’t allow for the ability to move around physically and deliver full immersion in 360 degrees. Plus, with Gaussian splatting, mission areas can be recreated virtually in a fraction of the time typically required, which the company demonstrated in this video.
Jan Goetgeluk, Chief Executive Officer of Virtuix, stated that creating realistic virtual environments has historically been a slow and labor-intensive process. By integrating AI-driven Gaussian splatting into Virtual Terrain Walk, the company can now scan real-world locations and quickly turn them into photorealistic virtual spaces that warfighters can physically explore. This capability meaningfully enhances warfighters’ readiness through immersive simulation. Virtuix said VTW supports collaborations across more than 12 stations locally or across geographies for multi-user mission planning and rehearsals. Conditions can be adjusted, and enemy forces can be layered in the simulations to create realistic combat scenarios.
Jay Miseli, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, noted that the ability to iterate through scenarios and understand how environmental changes affect outcomes can significantly reduce the potential for error on the modern battlefield. Virtuix has already sold test units to Yokota Air Force Base, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy. VTW’s abilities were also on display this past December at I/ITSEC, the world's largest annual modeling, simulation, and training conference, where Virtuix demonstrated a proof-of-concept of VTW alongside partners Cesium and HTC. The demonstration illustrated how AI-based terrain reconstruction can be combined with Cesium’s geospatial data and immersive virtual reality hardware to support large geo-specific, physically navigable virtual environments.
Beyond the defense sector, Virtuix sees significant opportunities for AI-driven Gaussian splatting in industrial and safety training, real estate visualization and law enforcement. The company also plans to incorporate it into its Omni One at-home gaming system, which has driven a 138% increase in sales for the company since the product’s official launch in late 2024. The Omni One VR treadmill is designed to give players a fully immersive experience, allowing them to physically move through any virtual world while burning calories and staying fit. The company views the integration of AI-driven Gaussian splatting with its omni-directional treadmills as a core element of its long-term growth strategy.
Virtuix reports that it intends to complement potentially high-volume consumer sales of its Omni One gaming system with high-margin enterprise and defense opportunities, including recurring revenues from software licensing and customized simulation development. The company has generated capital to pursue this strategy following its public listing on Nasdaq. Goetgeluk emphasized that AI-driven 3D reconstruction technologies like Gaussian splatting are foundational to the future of virtual reality, with the potential to deliver the full promise of the VR medium across entertainment, enterprise, and defense applications.
