ICAROS – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

June 25, 2018

Motion Platform Company ICAROS Takes on ‘Seven Figure Investment’ to Advance VR Heath Device

ICAROS is a Munich-based VR health startup that produces a unique motion platform which simulates flying in the prone position, something the makers say can provide a real workout. The company recently announced it’s completed a funding round in the “mid-seven figures” from Austrian private venture company Segnalita.

The system is composed of the Icaros motion platform and integrated controller, and includes dedicated apps supporting Samsung Gear VR, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift. The company’s apps include VR experiences such as flying, diving, free falling or competing with other Icaros pilots all over the world in the company’s own ICARACE, a multiplayer online race.

The company’s latest financing round will allow them to “tap into new markets and, above all, to advance our research and development work in the health segment,” says Icaros co-founder and CEO Michael Schmidt. Financing is also earmarked to help productize the Icaros consumer version (Icaros Home) for its Summer 2018 launch, and continue development of its online platform.

While it sounds like fun and games, the company says its ultimate vision is to “provide the most motivating and health promoting training experiences to combat our society’s sedentary lifestyle,” saying that the system is already is use in the health sector in areas such as physiotherapy.

“ICAROS provides completely unique, promising products that brilliantly combine sports, fitness and gaming, which is very much in line with the times. We are now enabling the company to keep growing within the existing segment and make the products accessible in the medicine sector,” said Bernhard Letzner, managing director of Segnalita.

The company’s enterprise-focused device, Icaros Pro, starts at €8,400 (~$9,800) before taxes and shipping. There’s currently no public pricing available on the upcoming consumer version Icaros Home, although we’re hoping to learn more when it releases this summer.

The post Motion Platform Company ICAROS Takes on ‘Seven Figure Investment’ to Advance VR Heath Device appeared first on Road to VR.

June 23, 2018

ICAROS Secures Seven Figure Investment From Segnalita

ICAROS have been providing a unique training system that combines fitness and virtual reality (VR) since 2016 and has now announced that that the Tyrolean private venture company Segnalita, has invested a sum in the mid-seven figures into the Munich-based company.

ICARACE

The company has a vision to provide the most motivating and health-promoting training experiences possible by leveraging technology to offer unique opportunities to stay fit. Recently ICAROS released their free-to-play VR racing title, ICARACE, that not only features fast races but also required a demanding workout. The title works with the ICAROS human flight system to use gyroscopic design to create the full physical sensation of flight while working key areas of the body.

“The financing from SEGNALITA allows us to tap into new markets and, above all, to advance our research and development work in the health segment”, says ICAROS co-founder and CEO Michael Schmidt.“The user feedback and the results of the initial studies are impressive”, adds cofounder and CEO Johannes Scholl.

ICAROS training systems are already being used in a number of different applications, seeing a strong pick up in the health sector for physiotherapy. The funding from Segnalita will ensure the company is able to develop new applications for the market along with ensuring consumer applications are supported as well. The ICAROS Home system is set to launch later this summer, offering the same benefits as the industry system but within a users own home. Allowing them to use VR to transport to a number of different environments all while working on their health and fitness.

ICAROS

“ICAROS provides completely unique, promising products that brilliantly combine sports, fitness and gaming, which is very much in line with the times.” Adds Bernhard Letzner, managing director of Segnalita: “We are now enabling the company to keep growing within the existing segment and make the products accessible in the medicine sector. We are deeply impressed by this and the expertise of the teams in terms of hardware, software and sales. SEGNALITA has given itself the objective of playing an active part in creating and developing sustainable corporate values. We are therefore pleased to be supporting this experienced start-up team.”

Fans of ICARACE can be sure to look forward to future development for the title following this successful funding along with more focus on movement therapy, sports sciences and biofeedback in the future. VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on ICAROS in the future as well so make sure to stay tuned for more.

June 15, 2018

ICAROS Release Free-To-Play VR Racing Title That Demands A Workout

ICAROS, a pioneer in virtual reality (VR) locomotion has announced, and launched, ICARACE, a global, competitive race simulation. Players will be able to jump into an ICAROS human flight system and complete for the best time against other players. The ICAROS uses gyroscopic design to create a full physical sensation of flight, while the ICARACE title places the user in a immersive VR experience.

ICARACE

ICARACE takes place in a futuristic race league were corporate sponsored pilots race to be the best. Taking place on three dimensional course, players create their own online profile and customize their character before heading to the track to earn the best time. Unlike a traditional videogame, ICARACE simultaneously provides a virtual gaming experience alongside a demanding, physical workout promoting fitness and skill development.

“We set out to create an entirely new sport which combine physical challenge and competitive, virtual gameplay. ICARACE is the pinnacle of our efforts.” said Michael Schmidt, Co-CEO and Founder of ICAROS. “We invite you to compete live with other ICAROS pilots, create your own profile, track your progresses, set new records and be part of the fastest VR community in the world.“

ICARACE

“With our exit from beta and our global launch, we have added multiple competitive tracks, training courses, player customization, and a global leaderboard.” said Johannes Scholl, also Co-CEO and Founder at ICAROS. ”We could not be more thankful for the support from our beta competitors and early ICAROS customers who have helped us develop a new class of sport and fitness entertainment.”

ICARACE is available as a free-to-play title and is designed for the ICAROS Pro and the upcoming ICAROS Home system. Users can download the title for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift head-mounted displays (HMD) with gameplay requiring one of the ICAROS home systems however, users can also find these systems at fitness and entertainment centers around the world. Thanks to the profiles being online, players will be able to step into one of the systems at any location and load up their character before racing for the top place.

VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest from ICAROS and their unique blend of fitness and virtual gaming in the future so stay tuned for more. You can see a trailer for the title below as well.