Virtuix has sent an email to its Kickstarter backers stating that the company is unable to ship the Omni controller internationally due to logistical reasons. Victims get their money back with interest.
The content of the email can also be found on the Virtuix forum. The company says it had underestimated how expensive the device would be to make. Because the controller is very large and bulky, it must be transported in a box with dimensions of 123x110cm and a weight of 105kg on a pallet. To ship the controller within the United States, you already have to pay two hundred dollars. According to Virtuix, sending such a package internationally is not feasible for a small start-up.
People who sponsored the company’s Kickstarter project will get their money back, plus interest at three percent a year. People who live within the United States can also request their money back. Virtuix is still in talks with other companies to get the Omni into arcades and similar venues internationally.
The Virtuix Omni is a platform that allows you to walk around in a virtual world, intended for use in combination with a VR headset. It appeared on Kickstarter in 2013, where it raised more than $1 million, well above its initial goal of $150,000 or $140,000. The company initially promised delivery of the controller in January 2014, but after multiple delays, the delivery date has been pushed back to Q4 2016 and canceled for international orders.