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.