EKTO VR is revolutionizing virtual reality by making digital movement feel unmistakably real. Founded by robotics engineer and former aerospace flight controls expert Brad Factor, the Pittsburgh-based startup has developed wearable robotics that let users walk freely in virtual environments—without motion sickness, tethers, or cumbersome treadmills.
The launch of the first Oculus headset in 2013 sparked Factor’s fascination with virtual reality. Determined to make digital environments feel natural to the body, he first explored a haptic exoskeleton before pivoting to locomotion in VR. To gain the expertise and resources he needed, Factor enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Masters program in Robotics Systems Development, turning his concept into a capstone project that advanced his overall vision and laid the foundation for EKTO VR.
The result is the EKTO VR Boot system, motorized AI-driven footwear that adapts to each step, allowing users to walk infinitely in a compact space while maintaining perfect orientation. Unlike VR treadmills or “slidemills,” which often feel like skating on ice or pushing against a harness, EKTO’s omnidirectional drive technology delivers smooth, confident motion. Embedded motors and precision sensors gently glide users back to center while syncing with their visual and vestibular cues, eliminating disorientation and creating an unmatched sense of presence.
Developed through seven years of R&D and eleven generations of prototypes, EKTO’s system blends robotics, AI, and ergonomic design to create a platform that is both powerful and intuitive. Portable, durable, and easy to use, the boots transform VR from a stationary experience into a fully physical one, advancing the science of presence and redefining how humans interact with digital worlds.
“Demo and Investor Days were milestones, but sharing our VR boots, connecting with peers, and enjoying informal after-hours discussions is where the magic happens.”
— Brad Factor, Founder and CEO
Solution
Over the course of a year, EKTO VR partnered with the Robotics Factory Scale program to transform its complex prototype into a manufacturable product. The team received hands-on support in mechanical design, design for manufacturability, and electrical circuit fabrication, alongside training on advanced shop equipment to rapidly build and test new prototypes. Working closely with mentors and Robotics Factory electromechanical engineer Andrew Katon, Factor and the EKTO team explored multiple production paths—from 3D printing with engineering-grade materials to evaluating injection molding and off-the-shelf components—striking the right balance between performance, durability, and cost. Electrical prototyping engineer Brian Dougherty also played a critical role in the electronics build, helping design, solder, and assemble circuit boards, hand-lacing some components when needed. This collaboration helped de-risk the design prior to manufacturing, streamline the supply chain strategy, and prepare EKTO VR for its public unveiling at PAX West 2025, where the newly refined boots showcased the next generation of immersive locomotion technology.
EKTO VR’s story is deeply enmeshed in Pittsburgh’s world-class robotics ecosystem. Founder Brad Factor drew on his connections at CMU, where expert mentorship from Dr. Chris Atkeson helped validate both the technical and business feasibility of his concepts. EKTO VR began collaborating informally with AlphaLab in 2017, gaining dedicated workspace and access to the program’s core curriculum. EKTO officially joined the AlphaLab Accelerator multi-track cohort in 2019, further advancing strategic development and market readiness. In 2020, EKTO VR joined CMU’s VentureBridge cohort, gaining access to both investors and business development support. These relationships, coupled with the guidance and hands-on mentorship from Innovation Works and the Robotics Factory, has helped the team refine their prototypes and position the company for broader growth in the VR market.
From its homebase in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, EKTO VR has built a small but relentless team of engineers, designers, and visionaries who are transforming how humans move in virtual worlds. They’ve turned a complex prototype into a refined, manufacturable system that makes physical movement in the metaverse feel effortless and real. Blending cutting-edge robotics with Pittsburgh’s legacy of entrepreneurial ingenuity, EKTO VR delivers a platform that people are eager to experience, invest in, and now own. From its regional base, the company is scaling its breakthrough technology from lab-tested prototypes to real-world deployments across entertainment, research, and consumer VR, bringing natural, limitless movement to digital experiences worldwide.
