March 26, 2025 – The University of Bath has recently announced the launch of Race Yourselves!, a virtual reality (VR) cycling game now available on the Meta Quest Store. Developed by researchers at the REVEAL research center (REal and Virtual Environments Augmentation Lab), the game combines AI and VR technology to offer an accessible, gamified workout experience for home users.
Race Yourselves! sees players navigate through virtual environments such as Japan, Egypt, and the Amazon, while completing high-intensity interval training or endurance races and collecting virtual rewards. Players are also able to cycle against multiple ‘ghost’ avatars that represent their own previous rides.
According to research published by REVEAL’s Dr. Christof Lutteroth, static bike users get fit twice as fast when they race against multiple ‘ghost rider’ versions of themselves rather than pedalling alone or against anonymous strangers. This discovery motivated the researchers to transform their concept game into a marketable product, resulting in this recent launch of Race Yourselves!.
The game works using any VR headset and any static bike, or a road bike converted into a static bike with a trainer stand, according to the University. Unlike many fitness platforms that require Bluetooth-enabled bikes and brand-specific subscriptions, Race Yourselves! utilizes the existing sensors in VR headsets to track the cyclist’s head movements as they navigate a dynamic virtual landscape. As the player tilts their head left and right to avoid obstacles and collect rewards, the game’s algorithm deciphers these subtle movements to gauge pedalling speed.
“Most static bikes rely on Bluetooth for riders to access training programs and track their progress, and often bike brands work exclusively with their own fitness apps, meaning riders are locked into a single hardware brand and are forced to pay a rolling subscription for this brand’s software,” said Dr. Lutteroth. “With Race Yourselves! a player is free to buy a cheap static bike from a high-street department store and download the game onto any VR headset.”
However, the University did clarify that while Race Yourselves! can function on any VR headset, during its launch period, the game will be available exclusively through the Meta Quest Store, and therefore only available on Meta Quest headsets at this time.
Looking ahead, the development team plans to expand the platform with features including online multiplayer racing, AI-powered virtual coaching, and support for gym-based spin classes. A mobile version of the game is also in development.
The virtual coaching component, expected within 10 months, will use wristband sensors to interpret players’ emotional states and adapt workouts accordingly, with the AI supposedly able to figure out in real time how a cyclist is feeling – overwhelmed and frustrated or motivated and ready for more.
Race Yourselves! is available to download for free today, with a premium version also available and priced at GBP £4.99.
For more information on the University of Bath’s REVEAL research center, click here.
Image / video credit: University of Bath / REVEAL
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.