The Roto VR Explorer is currently attracting the attention of many XR enthusiasts, and I can see why. At first glance, a chair that tracks your movements as you rotate in VR may seem like a simple gimmick. But in my opinion, it is an interesting alternative to all the other peripherals that have emerged to solve the VR movement problem.
As more companies and consumers embrace extended reality over the past few years, we’ve seen a slew of new concepts emerge that could change the way we navigate virtual spaces. Innovators are introducing VR shoes, omnidirectional treadmills, and even tactile mats.
Well then, why not take a look at a VR chair too?
London-based Roto VR believes the “Made for Meta” chair will provide a more intuitive and immersive experience in VR applications, and I’m a big fan of comfort in virtual reality.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Roto VR Explorer.
What is Roto VR Explorer?
The Roto VR Explorer is a new motorized chair from Roto VR that can rotate 360 degrees with your head movements and sync with in-game audio. At $799, it’s one of the more expensive accessories made for Meta devices like the Quest 3.
But compared to other VR exercise solutions, such as omnidirectional treadmills, this intuitive piece of furniture will be much more accessible to the masses. What sets this chair apart from typical swivel office chairs is its patented “look and turn technology,” which combines a powerful motorized base with full-body haptic feedback.
The chair also serves as a convenient all-in-one hub station for Quest 3, with a built-in charging port for your headset so you won’t run out of battery mid-session.
The features are as follows:
- 360 degree rotation function
- 21 revolutions per minute motor
- Tactile feedback for the whole body
- Integrated charging port
- Cable Management System
Roto VR Explorer: Design and Comfort
The Roto VR Explorer looks like a typical office chair if you ignore the bulky, rounded base on the bottom. It’s not the most attractive chair I’ve ever seen, and it’s not as comfortable as my regular office recliner. Still, the design has its merits.
First, this chair features a high-quality leather seat with adjustable seat height options and an adjustable footrest. Also, despite the large wheelbase with integrated electric motor taking up a lot of space, this chair is more compact than a full-size omnidirectional treadmill.
I’m also a fan of the integrated cable management system, which keeps everything neat and organized while protecting your wires. The included charging port is a handy addition, as it solves the common problem of short headset battery life.
The “Look and Turn” technology built into the chair works really well, automatically turning you in the direction you’re looking. However, the slight downside is that the chair has to get information from a hockey puck-style sensor attached to the top of the headset to automatically move you. This means that you’ll have a bit more weight on your head while you’re in VR.
On the positive side, the tactile “sound” sensation is nice enough and would be great for adding immersion to a VR setup. Roto VR also says the chair is “modular,” so users can add accessories for different setups.
The Roto VR Explorer is a “Made for Meta” device approved directly by Meta, but can also support other standalone headsets like the VIVE XR Elite and the upcoming Apple Vision Pro.
If you’re looking for a little more comfort, Roto will soon release a “Pro” version of the chair, which includes adjustable armrests, a taller back, and a headrest.
Does Roto VR Explorer improve immersion?
As mentioned above, the Roto VR Explorer is not just a simple VR Locomotion gimmick, but it actually aims to solve some of the biggest challenges of using a VR headset. Firstly, it can make your VR experience much more immersive, depending on the app you use.
Not all VR applications require you to actually move or stand. For example, if you’re enjoying an immersive collaboration session in an app like Microsoft Immersive Spaces, you might want to sit at a “virtual desk” and occasionally look at the whiteboard and your colleagues.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to look around the entire “virtual landscape” when sitting in a standard office chair or sofa. The shape of a standard chair is usually in the way, forcing you to stand up, crane your neck, or use a controller to look at a specific part of the space.
The Roto VR Explorer solves this problem, providing a more comfortable immersive experience. It is also easier to use your arms and hands freely while in VR. The shorter backrest than a standard chair allows you to move your arms freely while interacting with content.
Rumble packs that provide force feedback, in my opinion, enhance the sense of immersion. This haptic feature could be particularly useful for certain VR games and experiences, such as test driving a car or learning how to fly a plane in augmented reality.
Reduce motion sickness in VR
When the XR company announced the Roto VR Explorer, it wasn’t just about how the accessory could enhance immersion. They also said it could potentially help users combat “VR sickness.”
Roto believes that a chair that supports real-world movements that match what you see in VR will cause less disorientation in the brain. The less disconnect there is between what your body is doing (moving) and what you see in VR, the less likely you are to feel nauseous when wearing a headset. That makes sense.
You might think that you could get a similar experience by turning a regular office chair with your legs, but it’s unlikely you’ll get the smooth, streamlined experience that Roto VR offers.
The speed of the chair’s movement matches the speed and intensity of your head movements. That means that even if you slightly turn your head, it won’t suddenly shake you in the seat. Instead, you’ll feel as if you’re moving naturally and looking around the space.
Of course, this accessory won’t cure motion sickness for everyone, but it might make some VR sessions feel a lot more comfortable.
Is there a better alternative to a VR treadmill?
I don’t think a VR chair like the Roto VR Explorer will eliminate the need for other VR locomotive solutions like VR Shoes and treadmills. In situations where you need to stand and walk around freely in VR, these accessories will prevent you from hitting walls and provide a more immersive and natural experience.
But for those who spend a lot of time seat In VR, the Roto VR Explorer offers many benefits. After all, most of us don’t have the space or money to invest in something as advanced as the Virtuix Omni Arena or Disney’s Holotile Infinite floor.
The Roto chair’s base is large, so it might not fit next to a standard computer desk, but it will make it easier to find space in your office or home. The chair is simple and compact, so it should fit most setups. Plus, Roto says the design can be customized with add-ons and accessories in the coming years, so it’s likely that this chair will appeal to a wide range of VR users.
Is Roto VR Explorer worth it?
Although it’s much cheaper than a VR treadmill and easier to implement in your office or home, the Roto VR Explorer is still quite expensive. At around $799, we can’t see every company or individual rushing to buy this accessory right away.
But if you’re looking for an intuitive way to enhance your XR setup, even if you’re using a headset for immersive meetings, the VR Explorer might be a good choice. It’s compatible with over 400 games and apps already in the Meta Quest store, and it’s pretty darn comfortable.
Clearly Roto thinks this chair will be a success. At the time of writing, it is only available for pre-order, but the Roto VR Explorer Pro is already in production. I don’t think this will be the last of the VR chairs or Roto VR.