Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

July 30, 2020

Epic Megagrant Awarded to Varjo to Expand XR-1 Developer Edition Support for Unreal Engine

Having launched its Epic Megagrant initiative last year the company has awarded over $42 million from the $100 million fund. Today, the latest beneficiary from the virtual reality (VR) industry is enterprise headset manufacturer Varjo.

Varjo has received a MegaGrant to help further its mixed reality (MR) support for Unreal Engine, mainly focused on the Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition. The $10,000 headset launched back in December, a combination of the original VR-1 device coupled with two 12mp cameras on the front, enabling users to switch between MR and VR modes.

“Varjo currently provides one of the most advanced mixed reality hardware and software solutions for demanding industrial use,” said Sebastian Loze, industry manager for simulations at Epic Games in a statement. “We are excited to soon have mainline support for Varjo products in the primary Unreal distribution to continue delivering the highest-end visualization for our customers. The addition of new mixed reality features in Unreal Engine enables a new class of application development.”

The headset manufacturer has always focused on the enterprise market for commercial, government, and academic organizations. Its headsets have been used in automotive design, to train pilots and astronauts and help in clinical research. Customers include Volvo Cars, Boeing Starliner, FlightSafety International, and Lockheed Martin.

“We are thrilled to have this support from Epic Games to expand our delivery of mixed reality solutions for the most demanding enterprise VR/XR applications through Unreal Engine,” said John Burwell, global lead of simulation and training at Varjo.

“With OpenXR as the target interface, developers will, for the first time, have access to the industry’s most advanced enterprise-grade mixed reality features to support composing real and virtual environments for a wide variety of applications,” Burwell continued. “Planned features include full support for Varjo’s photorealistic visual fidelity, eye tracking and real-time chroma keying. The resulting solution is likely to position Unreal Engine as the most advanced platform for enterprise mixed reality development.”

Neither Epic nor Varjo have revealed how much was awarded. As further details on Varjo future developments are released, VRFocus will let you know.

May 28, 2020

Varjo and MeetinVR’s new Partnership Aims to Create Photorealistic Enterprise Collaboration

At the moment each week seems to offer new ways for businesses to collaborate through virtual reality (VR) technology. The latest comes from MeetinVR which has just launched its open beta whilst partnering with Varjo, to release a highly realistic version of its software for Varjo’s headsets.

Having been in private beta for three years with select Fortune500 companies, the open beta launch will support companies looking for new ways to connect their workforce – a hot topic at the moment with the likes of Spatial and Oculus for Business arriving.

MeetinVR includes all the useful features you’d expect from a collaboration app, diverse spaces which suit individual company needs, a tablet to access beneficial tools, being able to place 3D objects mid-air and the ability to brainstorm on white boards.

Its collaboration with Varjo takes this a step further as MeetinVR will support the VR-2, VR-2 Pro and XR-1 Developer Edition for mixed reality (MR) meetings. While the implementation has yet to roll out, the companies have introduced a new bundle offer where new Varjo headset owners will receive six months of MeetinVR for free for five users.

“Remote working is now becoming our new normal and the need to be able to virtually collaborate with colleagues, customers and partners around the world is business critical,” said Urho Konttori, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Varjo in a statement. “As enterprises adapt to a new work environment, we’re excited to partner with leading industry players, such as MeetinVR, to help build the future of virtual and mixed reality collaboration.”

“Varjo’s photorealistic resolution gives users the ability to see reflections and shadows of their 3D models, as well as read text, all of which create a realistic experience for collaboration amongst meeting participants,” said Cristian Emanuel Anton, CEO of MeetinVR. “With this partnership, users don’t have to abide by the rules of physics anymore. They are able to merge real and virtual elements seamlessly in our collaborative platform. This sets a new benchmark for remote presence and interaction for professionals.”

MeetinVR is free to trial right now, supporting up to 20 users for 30 days. Once those parameters have been exceed then there are three main plans starting at 5-20 users for €35 per month/user, 21-50 users costs €30 per month/user, while 51+ users costs €25 per month/user. The collaboration software currently supports Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality headsets with Varjo support coming soon.

As MeetinVR continues to improve its collaboration software, VRFocus will keep you updated.

March 10, 2020

Varjo Updates XR-1 Mixed Reality Headset to Support Chroma Key & Marker Tracking

Varjo, a Finnish virtual reality (VR) headset manufacturer for the enterprise market released its latest model, the XR-1 Developer Edition in December, offering companies the chance to switch between VR and mixed reality (MR) depending upon requirements. Today, Varjo its next early access feature for the headset, allowing customers to utilise chroma key for the first time.

Varjo XR-1

A process more commonly known as ‘green-screening’ and used quite often in broadcasting and film to create a range of CGI effects, using the XR-1 Varjo’s customers can mix the virtual with real physical objects in real-time.

Currently, one of the biggest issues MR technology has is occlusion; where a digital object can’t sit behind a real one, rather awkwardly overlaid. Using Chroma key, Varjo there’s no issue, allowing someone to walking into a scene you’re viewing on the headset or even seeing your actual hands rather than a digital representation.

Another part of the update is marker tracking where users can instantly anchor virtual objects to the real world using printable visual markers. This can range from placing and moving virtual furniture in a room to automotive designers sitting in a car replacing parts of the interior with designs that are not yet built.

“Since its commercial launch in December 2019, Varjo’s XR-1 Developer Edition has quickly become the most demanded mixed reality product for professional users, transforming the way companies train, design and conduct research in immersive environments,” said Urho Konttori, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Varjo in a statement. “When our customers asked us to create a seamless solution for blending the real and virtual worlds, we immediately jumped to the challenge. We’re excited to introduce real-time chroma-keying and object tracking to our customers just three months after the first deliveries of the XR-1, enabling absolute immersion inside mixed reality.”

Varjo

“With chroma key, Varjo took an industry-standard technique and turned it into a useful new feature for dynamic mixed reality simulations,” said Bob Vaughn, Product Manager at FlightSafety International, a worldwide leader in aviation training. “We look forward to further exploring the feature applied to a variety of simulation opportunities. We highly value our collaborative relationship with Varjo, and are excited to continue to push the boundaries of mixed reality.”

These early access features are available to all users of the XR-1 Developer Edition headset which retails for $9,995 USD. Take a look at the video to see the chroma key in action and for further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

December 2, 2019

Varjo’s XR-1 Mixes VR & AR for $10,000, Developer Edition now Available

In the Spring, Finnish virtual reality (VR) headset manufacturer Varjo revealed it was entering the field of mixed reality (MR) with a new device called XR-1. With I/ITSEC 2019 currently underway in Orlando, for the event, Varjo has just announced that the XR-1 Developer Edition is now available for purchase for the rather tidy sum of $10,000 USD (almost).

Varjo XR-1

Actually, the Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition headset retails for $9,995 but companies will also need to shell out for Varjo’s Software and Support service at $1,995. Small change for companies like Volvo who have been working with Varjo to develop the device – Varjo even received investment from Volvo’s Cars Tech Fund.

The Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition is essentially an upgrade to the VR-1 headset Varjo launched earlier in the year. So the device still features the Bionic Display made up of two screens. The main ‘Context screen’ delivers 1440×1600 per eye while a microdisplay or ‘focal screen’ delivers a resolution of 60 pixels per degree (or 3000ppi). Other features include Varjo’s own in-house 20/20 Eye Tracker system and an 87-degree field of view. To make the headset ‘mixed reality’ Varjo has added two 12mp cameras on the front, thus enabling users to switch between MR and full VR modes.

“Many companies understand the benefits of implementing virtual and mixed reality into their workflows, but haven’t had access to technology sophisticated enough to create photorealistic, 3D content and simulations,” said Urho Konttori, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Varjo in a statement. “We are excited to bring the XR-1 Developer Edition to market as the industry’s first device that can flawlessly blend the virtual with the real world like never before – pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in training, design and research.”

Varjo XR-1

Varjo no longer sells the VR-1 as this design was recently superseded by the VR-2 and VR-2 Pro models launched in October. Retailing for $4,995 and $5,995, the new headsets feature an upgraded Bionic Display with improved peripheral vision and colour consistency. The VR-2 Pro also comes with Ultraleap hand tracking built-in.

All the headsets can be purchased off Varjo’s website and for further updates on enterprise VR keep reading VRFocus.

September 5, 2019

Enterprise VR Specialist Varjo Opens US Headquarters

Varjo Technologies, the Finnish company behind the $6,000 USD Varjo VR-1 industrial virtual reality (VR) headset continues to accelerate its global expansion plans this week announcing the opening of its new US headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

Varjo XR-1

Celebrating its third anniversary this month, the US represents an important market for Varjo hence why alongside the HQ opening the company has announced an expansion to its reseller program. Varjo’s reseller network only launched three months ago, making the Varjo VR-1 headset available to enterprise customers in 34 countries.

Two new US resellers have been added to the list, GC Micro and FoxGuard Solutions, ensuring better reach and customer support across the country.

“2019 has been an exciting year for us so far with the announcements of our first two products – the Varjo VR-1 and Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition – among other key milestones, and this is just the beginning,” said Timo Toikkanen, president and COO of Varjo in a statement. “As we continue to expand our global footprint, through new offices, additional reseller partners and entrance into new sales markets, we look forward to delivering the innovative solutions and local support our enterprise customers need to apply VR in new and compelling ways.”

Varjo XR-1

Dubbed the ‘the world’s first human-eye resolution VR device’ the Varjo VR-1 has already been taken up by global enterprises such as Saab, Airbus, Siemens PLC and Audi. Using a system called the Bionic Display which is made up of two screens for each eye, the main ‘Context screen’ delivers 1440×1600 per eye while a microdisplay or ‘focal screen’ delivers a resolution of 60 pixels per degree (or 3000ppi). Additionally, the headset also features Varjo’s own in-house 20/20 Eye Tracker system to help companies extract analytics data.

Then there’s the Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition, an adaption for the VR version adding mixed reality (MR) functionality. With the same screens and eye-tracking, the Varjo XR-1 includes two front-facing 12mp cameras with an 82 x 82 degrees field of view (FoV) putting the headset ahead of rivals like Magic Leap and Microsoft HoloLens. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Varjo and its expansion plans, reporting back with any further updates.

June 20, 2019

Varjo Reseller Network Brings the VR-1 to Over 34 Countries Across Europe and North America

When it comes to industrial, enterprise-focused head-mounted displays (HMD) the Varjo VR-1 is up there with the best. Originally released earlier this year for $6000 USD, today, the company has announced the launch of its local reseller network, bringing in-person demos and local support to more than 34 countries across Europe and North America.

The program will launch with 14 resellers to help bring the Varjo VR-1 to professionals across industries such as industrial design and architecture, training and simulation.

From the launch of the program the resellers are: Schenker Technologies (Leipzig, Germany), Immersion (Bordeaux, France), SystemActive (London, UK), Azken Mugan (Madrid, Spain), Nanco (Henån, Sweden), Inet (Gothenburg, Sweden), Fortum eSite (Helsinki, Finland), Osgenic (Helsinki, Finland), MACE Virtual Labs (Texas, USA), RAVE Computer (Michigan, USA), Silverdraft (Idaho & California, USA), iMotions (Boston, USA; Berlin, Germany; and Copenhagen, Denmark), ELSA Japan (Tokyo, Japan), and NGC Corporation (Tokyo, Japan).

“We are incredibly happy to be able to start providing local support and demos of human-eye resolution VR with our premium partners in more than 34 countries across Europe and North America,” said Miika Jokinen, Sales & Channel Development at Varjo in a statement. “With the support of our local partners, we are committed to providing unmatched expertise and on-the-ground support for our customers who are eager to start utilizing VR across different markets.”

“Being the first reseller to bring human-eye resolution VR to businesses in the UK and Ireland is an exciting opportunity for us, and we are also pleased to provide tailored leasing and bundling opportunities to our customers,” said Ross Riley, Vendor Manager at SystemActive. “Varjo’s support for resellers in product training, marketing and events has been truly valuable.”

The Varjo VR-1 is dubbed the ‘the world’s first human-eye resolution VR device’ by the company thanks to a system called the Bionic Display. Made up of two screens, the main ‘Context screen’ delivers 1440×1600 per eye while a microdisplay or ‘focal screen’ delivers a resolution of 60 pixels per degree (or 3000ppi). Additionally, the headset also features Varjo’s own in-house 20/20 Eye Tracker system to help companies extract analytics data.

As Varjo continues to expand its presence, VRFocus will keep you updated on the latest announcements.

May 29, 2019

Varjo Reveals Mixed Reality Headset, the XR-1 Developer Edition

Not content with launching its $6000 USD human eye resolution virtual reality (VR) headset the VR-1 back in February, Finnish hardware manufacturer Varjo has just announced a new device called the XR-1 Developer Edition.

Varjo XR-1

Just like its forebear, the Varjo XR-1 Developers Edition will be solely aimed at the enterprise market, but unlike the VR-1 this new device is a mixed reality (MR) headset. This means Varjo is planning to take on the MR goliaths that are Microsoft and HoloLens 2, plus Magic Leap and its Magic Leap One Creators Edition.

The culmination of two and a half years of intensive R&D at Varjo, the XR-1 delivers photorealistic image quality with integrated eye tracking. In a press release, Varjo claims: “The dream of ‘Hard AR’ (where you can no longer tell apart what is real and what is virtual) has at last been achieved in a professional product.”

In fact, the XR-1 is an upgrade to the VR-1, adding a front plate featuring dual 12 mp cameras, capable of producing high resolution with < 15 ms latency. It’s so fast that Volvo has been testing the headset whilst driving cars, with XR-1 prototypes being used to aid workflow since the summer of 2018. Volvo has been that impressed with the device that as of May 2019, Varjo will receive an investment by the Volvo Cars Tech Fund. Additionally, Varjo claims an 82 x 82 degrees field of view (FoV) which would make it the class leader.

Varjo XR-1

“XR-1 brings all the convenience of seeing your body as well as the real world around you and being able to look at your colleagues while designing a virtual object or environment,” said Urho Konttori, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Varjo. “The XR-1 can show mixed reality with true-to-life fidelity you can only achieve using video-pass- through. Lifelike mixed reality is quite literally impossible to achieve with optical-see-through systems like HoloLens.”

Varjo hasn’t said how much the XR-1 Developers Edition will cost but as its an upgraded VR-1 it isn’t going to be cheap. Shipments of the cutting-edge headset to mixed reality developers, designers and researchers is expected to begin in the latter half of 2019. As VRFocus learns more about the Varjo XR-1 we’ll let you know.