Virtuix Inc. has announced the integration of AI-driven Gaussian splatting technology into its Virtual Terrain Walk system for defense sector training and simulation. This AI-based 3D reconstruction technique transforms real-world environments captured with 360-degree cameras into photorealistic, navigable 3D worlds in hours rather than months, significantly accelerating the creation of immersive battlefield simulations.
The VTW system combines Virtuix's omni-directional treadmills with Gaussian splatting technology to enable commanders and units to physically walk through geo-specific terrain for mission planning, reconnaissance, and leader rehearsals. Users can walk in 360 degrees without boundaries to familiarize themselves with battlespace, identify key areas, determine kill zones, place weapons, and mark routes. The company demonstrated this capability in this video.
"Creating realistic virtual environments has historically been a slow and labor-intensive process," said Jan Goetgeluk, Chief Executive Officer of Virtuix. "By integrating AI-driven Gaussian splatting into Virtual Terrain Walk, we can now scan real-world locations and quickly turn them into photorealistic virtual spaces that our warfighters can physically explore."
The system supports collaboration 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 into simulations to create realistic combat scenarios. "The ability to iterate through scenarios and understand how environmental changes affect outcomes can significantly reduce the potential for error on the modern battlefield," said Jay Miseli, a retired U.S. Army Colonel.
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. The technology was demonstrated at I/ITSEC, the world's largest annual modeling, simulation, and training conference, where Virtuix showed how AI-based terrain reconstruction combines with Cesium's geospatial data and immersive virtual reality hardware to support large geo-specific, physically navigable virtual environments. Cesium is owned by Bentley Systems.
Beyond defense applications, Virtuix sees opportunities for AI-driven Gaussian splatting in industrial and safety training, real estate visualization, and law enforcement. The company also plans to incorporate the technology into its Omni One at-home gaming system, which has driven a 138% increase in sales since its official launch in late 2024. The integration represents a core element of Virtuix's long-term growth strategy, complementing consumer sales with high-margin enterprise and defense opportunities, including recurring revenues from software licensing and customized simulation development.
"We believe AI-driven 3D reconstruction technologies like Gaussian splatting are foundational to the future of virtual reality," Goetgeluk said. "They have the potential to deliver the full promise of the VR medium across entertainment, enterprise, and defense applications." The company's public listing on Nasdaq has provided capital to pursue these opportunities across multiple sectors.
