Roto VR Secures £2.4M Funding to Launch Interactive VR Gaming Chair Worldwide

In Virtual Reality News

December 6, 2024 – Roto VR, creator of the interactive ‘Roto VR Explorer’ motorised virtual reality (VR) chair, has recently announced that it has secured GBP £2.4 million in funding. 

As part of what is a second successful funding round for Roto VR, Pembroke VCT contributed GBP £500,000, alongside new and existing angel investors from both the UK and US. With the rollout of the Roto VR Explorer chair launching globally last month, the company stated that the new investments will support its next phase of growth as it takes its VR experience chair to market.

Roto VR added that it will use the funding to “capitalize on market appetite for enhanced VR gaming” and fulfil demand for the launch of the VR Explorer by enhancing operational capacity and broadening the company’s market reach. 

Roto VR’s gaming chair helps to address challenges like motion sickness in VR and limited immersion thanks to its 360-degree interactive design. The device is part of the “Made for Meta” program and is fully compatible with over 400+ games and apps available from the Meta Horizon store, according to Roto VR.

“My team and I are thrilled to be launching the Roto VR Explorer with industry leading partners such as Meta after a considerable period of product development and market analysis,” said Elliott Myers, Founder of Roto VR. “I’m especially grateful to all our investors who continue to support our efforts and I’m excited for the next chapter in our journey.”

Through the company’s proprietary eye-tracking technology, the Explorer chair aligns physical rotation with a user’s eye gaze, providing an enhanced immersive VR experience. Designed to address issues associated with viewing and engaging with 360-degree content whilst seated in VR, Roto stated that its chair also helps to alleviate some of the safety issues often experienced with standing VR.

Roto VR noted that since 2019 it has worked to secure new contracts with VR industry leaders. In addition to partnering with Meta under the Made for Meta program, the company has also secured retail agreements with GameStop, Argos and Selfridges, with GameStop to also provide in-store demonstrations of the VR Explorer chair in key stores.

Since Pembroke’s latest investment, Roto VR has enhanced the Explorer chair with a head tracker for more intuitive ‘look and turn’ viewing, as well as a ‘Rumble’ attachment for haptic feedback. The company added that mass production of the device has now begun in China, which it anticipates will provide greater cost efficiencies for global distribution.

Andrew Wolfson, CEO of Pembroke Investment Managers, commented: “Elliott and his team have engineered a solution that not only overcomes common barriers in VR engagement but also greatly enhances the overall experience. The Roto VR Explorer exemplifies British innovation with global impact. With high-profile contracts and industry partnerships, Roto VR is positioned for growth as it continues to disrupt the VR landscape.”

Roto VR stated that lead investor Pembroke will continue in its role as a strategic partner, advising on key hires, providing counsel as well as access to valuable networks. Pembroke first invested in Roto VR in December 2019 and has invested a total GBP £2.2 million in Roto VR to date.

For more information on Roto VR and its VR Explorer chair, please visit the company’s website.

Image / video credit: Roto VR / YouTube