Varjo Brings World’s First Human-Eye Resolution VR/XR Cloud Streaming Capability to Its Reality Cloud Platform

With today’s announcement of the addition of cloud streaming to its Varjo Reality Cloud platform, select early access users, like electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian, can deploy virtual and mixed reality applications and experiences entirely from the cloud for the first time and stream human-eye resolution VR/XR content directly to Varjo headsets.

Professionals across industries can move into immersive workflows easier and faster than ever before by leveraging the infinite compute power of the Varjo Reality Cloud, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and NVIDIA GPUs. By streaming content directly from Varjo Reality Cloud, local computing requirements are significantly reduced, and the need to have supported software applications installed on every user’s local PC is diminished. Instead, users can simply put on any Varjo headset (XR-3, VR-3, or Aero) and, with a simple link, join a cloud-hosted session to begin collaborating instantly across the globe.

Early access customers such as Rivian are already using the new platform to improve the scalability of their immersive workflows 

Jan. 19, 2022 – Helsinki, Finland – Varjo, the industry-leading provider of professional-grade VR/XR hardware and software, today announced the addition of cloud streaming to its Varjo Reality Cloud platform, marking progress toward the company’s vision of bringing real-life collaboration into the metaverse. With the new service, select early access users can deploy virtual and mixed reality applications and experiences entirely from the cloud for the first time and stream human-eye resolution VR/XR content directly to Varjo headsets. This unlocks new levels of scalability and productivity as professionals look to expand their use of immersive workflows.

“Being able to achieve the same quality experience through Varjo Reality Cloud with less powerful local PCs is a game-changer for companies looking to scale their use of virtual and mixed reality,” said Urho Konttori, founder and CTO of Varjo. “Now, with our new cloud streaming service, users can join photorealistic virtual experiences with almost any laptop with a dedicated NVIDIA GPU and a Varjo headset and start collaborating in an immersive environment.”

Professionals across industries can move into immersive workflows easier and faster than ever before by leveraging the infinite compute power of the Varjo Reality Cloud, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and NVIDIA GPUs. By streaming content directly from Varjo Reality Cloud, local computing requirements are significantly reduced, and the need to have supported software applications installed on every user’s local PC is diminished. Instead, users can simply put on any Varjo headset (XR-3, VR-3, or Aero) and, with a simple link, join a cloud-hosted session to begin collaborating instantly across the globe.  

By utilizing Varjo’s proprietary foveated transport algorithm, users can stream immersive content from Varjo Reality Cloud to VR/XR devices with a bandwidth of only 35 megabits per second. Additionally, all the traffic between the local PC and the servers, including the stream itself, is encrypted and has been developed with industry best practices.

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is among the first customers who have received early access to Varjo Reality Cloud to conduct automotive design reviews with Autodesk VRED software. Varjo has been working closely with the Rivian, Autodesk VRED, and AWS teams to transform the automaker’s design review process into a cloud-streamed, immersive workflow.  

With Varjo Reality Cloud, Rivian can now create collaborative VRED sessions on-demand and enable key decision-makers to join. More specifically, one user can create a cloud-hosted session running on Varjo Reality Cloud and send it to other users across geographies. Once users click on the session link and put on a Varjo headset, they can all see and collaborate on the same, high-resolution 3D car model through VRED without having to download it or install the application locally. 

“With Varjo Reality Cloud, we are able to make high-fidelity immersion a key part of our design development and scale it effectively across locations,” said Trevor Greene, Lead of Visualization Design at Rivian. “This is a turn-key solution that allows users with very different skill levels to be brought into an immersive environment to collaborate – something that hasn’t been possible before.”

Varjo Reality Cloud is still under development and only available to select existing Varjo customers in early access, with commercial availability expected during the first half of this year. Varjo plans to extend its cloud streaming capability for other relevant software and workflows across industries throughout 2022 and invites interested partners and customers to get in touch with their Varjo contact to inquire about early access. 

Supporting Customer & Partner Quotes: 

“Varjo Reality Cloud enables professional users to easily access and benefit from the highly scalable NVIDIA A10G Tensor Core GPUs to power the photorealistic and collaborative visualization service,” said Lisa Bell-Cabrera, Director of Business Development XR at NVIDIA. “This is the first time Varjo software runs in the cloud on an NVIDIA GPU, and it’s a great step forward in bringing scalable, true-to-life virtual reality experiences to professionals across industries.” 

“We’re excited to partner with Varjo to help cutting-edge automotive manufacturers such as Rivian bring their design review process in VRED into the cloud,” said Lukas Fäth, Senior Product Manager at Autodesk. “With Varjo Reality Cloud, users can create collaborative VRED sessions on-demand and easily invite key decision-makers to join. When paired with the human-eye resolution built into Varjo’s headsets, users are able to see a realistic, real-scale virtual model of the car they’re working on and collaboratively review it in real-time, making immersive workflows more efficient than ever before.” 

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About Varjo  

Varjo (pronounced var-yo) makes revolutionary VR/XR hardware and software that together allow you to see and experience virtual and augmented content just as clearly as you see the real world. Our virtual and mixed reality products take you to another level of performance and emotional immersion – recreating the exact feeling and conditions of real life, allowing you to perform better and learn faster. www.varjo.com

Case MUJI & Varjo: Using VR in retail to achieve a deeper customer connection

Together with Varjo, the Japanese retail company MUJI has harnessed virtual reality to achieve a deeper connection with their in-store customers.

Since November of 2021, MUJI's European flagship store in Helsinki has featured a virtual reality experience centered on nature. As part of a physical in-store installation, customers can try on the new Varjo Aero virtual reality headset while sitting on one of the store’s signature pine wood beds.

Filmed with a 360° camera, the VR experience instantly transports participants to the heart of nature. “Currently virtual reality is often being considered for use in e-commerce in the marketing areas, but MUJI doesn’t think that way. We think of how we can get closer to our customers and offer them a journey through MUJI’s philosophical world," says Miho Takagi, Managing Director, MUJI Finland.

Read the full case study: https://varjo.com/blog/case-muji-vr-in-retail/

Case study: Step aboard a virtual sales showcase with Unity Forma and Varjo Aero

Arksen, an emerging British marine adventure company, has created a real-time 3D, configurable model of their Arksen 85 yacht, powered by Unity Forma. Built with multiple hands on deck, this new virtual reality experience raises the bar for immersive marketing and marks the maiden voyage of Unity Forma into VR. With the new Varjo Aero headset, the Arksen yacht can be experienced in full fidelity, with even the most minute details brought to life in VR.

“Instead of having to interpret and rotate 2D models around in your mind, the Varjo Aero VR headset transports you into the Arksen 85 digital twin. Allowing you to see and feel the space as you would in real life, providing a richer experience that gives a true understanding of what life would be like onboard an Arksen 85.” –Ewan Hind, COO, Arksen

Read the full case study with Arksen, Unity Forma, and Varjo: varjo.com/blog/case-arksen-virtual-yacht-showcase-unity-forma-in-vr/

Varjo Introduces Varjo Aero To Bring the Highest-Fidelity Virtual Reality For Professionals and Leading-Edge VR Users Alike

Varjo's exciting announcement this morning of the launch of Varjo Aero, the company’s newest VR device in its portfolio. The headset expands the company's reach beyond its traditional enterprise customer base to also advanced VR users like flight simulator enthusiasts. Varjo Aero offers industry-leading visual fidelity, featuring true-to-life, edge-to-edge clarity across 115 degrees field of view. The headset is available at an attainable price of $1,990 with no annual software subscription fee and lower PC hardware requirements.

The new VR headset, together with Varjo’s recently announced Reality Cloud platform, marks the next step toward enabling a true-to-life metaverse for all

Helsinki, Finland – October 21, 2021 – Varjo™, the leader in professional-grade VR/XR hardware and software, today announced the launch of Varjo Aero, the company’s newest virtual reality device in its portfolio. The headset expands the company's reach beyond its traditional enterprise customer base to also advanced VR users like flight simulator enthusiasts. Varjo Aero offers industry-leading visual fidelity, featuring true-to-life, edge-to-edge clarity across 115 degrees field of view. The headset is available at an attainable price of $1,990 with no annual software subscription fee and lower PC hardware requirements.

“We’ve heard the demand from leading-edge VR users such as aviators, creators and racing simulation enthusiasts to bring our highest-fidelity devices to everyone, not just enterprises,” said Urho Konttori, founder and CTO of Varjo. “As a result, we are proud to bring to market Varjo Aero, the best VR headset that anyone can get. This device, together with our Reality Cloud platform, continues our mission to make a true-to-life metaverse accessible for all.”

With a resolution of 35 pixels per degree, Varjo Aero offers an industry-leading immersive experience to both professionals and high-end VR enthusiasts alike. Its advanced ergonomics and significantly reduced weight make it the lightest headset from Varjo to date. The headset features professional-grade mini LED displays, color tuning, contrast levels, and crystal clear aspheric variable resolution lenses. In addition, its built-in eye tracking powers not just interaction and analytics, but also foveated rendering that further reduces compute requirements and enables a crystal clear resolution. The lower PC hardware requirements of Varjo Aero enable more scalable deployments and various multi-user experiences, including flight and racing simulations, enterprise training scenarios, design and creative use-cases, as well as delivering immersive experiences in showrooms, museums, and virtual arcades.

Varjo Aero also integrates with the company’s recently launched Varjo Reality Cloud service and will fully support virtual collaboration immediately with early access to the platform’s VR teleportation software. Additional functionality, such as content streaming from the cloud, will be supported in steps when Varjo Reality Cloud becomes generally available. With the delivery of a lower-barrier-to-entry headset option, Varjo Aero marks Varjo’s next step in making a photorealistic metaverse accessible for all.

The first customer shipments of Varjo Aero will begin by the end of 2021. The headset can be ordered starting now for $1,990 (USD and Euros) via www.varjo.com/aero.

About Varjo:  

Varjo (pronounced var-yo) makes revolutionary VR/XR hardware and software that together allow you to see and experience virtual and augmented content just as clearly as you see the analog world around us. Our virtual and mixed reality headsets take you to another level of performance and emotional immersion – recreating the exact feeling and conditions of real life, allowing you to perform better and learn faster. www.varjo.com 

Lenovo and Varjo Help Power Aston Martin’s Use of Mixed Reality

Legendary automaker, Aston Martin, is known for its commitment to luxury design and the ultimate customer experience. Using Lenovo’s ThinkStation P620 workstation, along with Varjo’s XR-3 headset, the company is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to create a fully immersive experience of their first, high-performance SUV, the Aston Martin DBX. Mixed reality technology is allowing Aston Martin to not only iterate on designs faster, but also enhance dealer training and customer engagement with an ultra-realistic model of the Aston Martin DBX.

You can learn more about Aston Martin’s use of immersive technology in a customer video here. In the video, VP and Chief Marketing Officer at Aston Martin, Pete Freedman, delves into the various XR applications they’re exploring across the business, while spokespeople from both Lenovo and Varjo reveal how their respective hardware is bringing the Aston Martin DBX experience to life, all in human eye resolution.

Varjo Unveils its Varjo Reality Cloud Platform For a True-to-Life Metaverse

Today the company announced a pioneering new reality with Varjo Reality Cloud. The new platform will enable virtual teleportation for the first time by allowing anybody to 3D scan their surroundings using a Varjo XR-3 headset and transport another person to that same exact physical reality, completely bridging the real and the virtual in true-to-life visual fidelity. This real-time reality sharing will usher in a new era in universal collaboration and pave the way for a metaverse of the future, transforming the way people work, interact, and play.

New Varjo Reality Cloud platform will make teleportation and real-time reality sharing possible for the first time, paving the way for a new form of human interaction and universal collaboration

Helsinki, Finland – June 24, 2021 – Varjo™, the leader in industrial-grade VR/XR hardware and software, today announced a pioneering new reality with Varjo Reality Cloud. The new platform will enable virtual teleportation for the first time by allowing anybody to 3D scan their surroundings using a Varjo XR-3 headset and transport another person to that same exact physical reality, completely bridging the real and the virtual in true-to-life visual fidelity. This real-time reality sharing will usher in a new era in universal collaboration and pave the way for a metaverse of the future, transforming the way people work, interact, and play.

“We believe that Varjo’s vision for the metaverse will elevate humanity during the next decade more than any other technology in the world,” said Timo Toikkanen, CEO of Varjo. “What we’re building with our vision for the Varjo Reality Cloud will release our physical reality from the laws of physics. The programmable world that once existed only behind our screens can now merge with our surrounding reality – forever changing the choreography of everyday life.”

For the past five years, Varjo has been building and perfecting the foundational technologies needed to bring its Varjo Reality Cloud platform to market such as human-eye resolution, low-latency video pass-through, integrated eye tracking and the LiDAR ability of the company’s mixed reality headset. As the only company having already delivered these building block technologies in market-ready products, Varjo is uniquely positioned to combine them with Varjo Reality Cloud to empower users to enjoy the scale and flexibility of virtual computing in the cloud without compromising performance or quality. 

Using Varjo’s proprietary foveated transport algorithm, users will be able to stream the real-time human-eye resolution, wide-field-of-view 3D video feed in single megabytes per second to any device. This ability to share, collaborate in and edit one’s environment with other people makes human connection more real and efficient than ever before, eliminating the restrictions of time and place completely.

To further accelerate bringing the vision for Varjo Reality Cloud to life, Varjo today also announced the acquisition of Dimension10, a Norwegian software company that pioneers industrial 3D collaboration. Their virtual meeting suite is designed for architecture, engineering and construction teams and will become a critical component to making virtual collaboration possible within Varjo Reality Cloud. 

Additionally, Varjo welcomed Lincoln Wallen to the company’s board of directors. Wallen currently serves as the CTO at Improbable, is a recognized scholar in computing and AI, and brings to Varjo his extensive knowledge of large scale cloud computing, and moving digital content production into the cloud. Previously, Wallen has worked as CTO of Dreamworks where he transitioned global movie production to the cloud, including the development of a cloud-native toolset for asset management, rendering, lighting, and animation.

Varjo Reality Cloud will first be available to existing customers and partners in Alpha Access starting later this year. For more information about Varjo’s new cloud platform and its vision for the metaverse, tune into a live, virtual event today, June 24, 2021, at 12:00pm ET via varjo.com.

About Varjo:  

Varjo (pronounced var-yo) is based in Helsinki and is creating the world’s most advanced VR/XR hardware and software for industrial use, merging the real and virtual worlds seamlessly together in human-eye resolution. www.varjo.com 

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Media Contact:

press@varjo.com

Brittany Edwards

Carve Communications for Varjo

210-382-2165

Saab (a global defense and security company) is using Varjo technology for its new Gripen E/F simulators

Here’s the latest training and simulation use case from Varjo. Today, Saab announced an expanded collaboration with Varjo in which the company’s technology will be integrated in Saab’s new Gripen E/F simulators. More specifically, Varjo’s new XR-3 mixed reality headset will be used in all of Saab’s flight simulators to give pilots a truly immersive training experience with photorealistic visual fidelity so they can feel like they’re flying in the real world.

Saab and Varjo bring virtual reality to flight simulators

Saab and Varjo, which develops virtual and mixed reality technologies for professional use and was founded in 2016, have advanced in their collaboration of many years to the point in which Varjo’s technology will be integrated in Saab’s new Gripen E/F simulators. The collaboration has its roots in Varjo’s innovation, which was critical to the successful development of state-of-the-art simulations.

“When we did our first experiments with commercial devices, we received feedback from the pilots that they were unable to read text in virtual reality because the resolution was not sufficiently high. This was not a problem with Varjo’s technology,” says Stefan Furenbäck, Saab’s Head of Tactical Environment Simulation and Visualisation.

“Our collaboration has been smooth and straightforward. We understand each other’s needs and how we can solve our shared technological problems. Two companies with similar cultures, with innovation high on their agenda and ready to discuss everything,” Seppo Aaltonen, Varjo’s Chief Commercial Officer describes the collaboration.

Pilot training requires trainees to be able to read text and see even the smallest details. Pilots need to feel like they are flying in the real world while using the simulator. Up until now, it has been necessary to use cave or dome-shaped simulators to create a virtual reality experience that is as immersive as possible for the pilot. They are very large and expensive, and building their display systems requires a lot of work. They are also difficult to move.

Conventional dome simulators have a flat-screen and the 3D view can only be achieved using special glasses. Varjo’s virtual reality headsets have separate screens for each eye, so they come with a built-in 3D feature.

Varjo’s Bionic Display is based on the idea of how the human eye works; you see everything in the middle of your field of vision in ultra-high resolution and anything in the peripheral vision in lower resolution, enabling a fully natural and smoothly performing virtual experience.

This is done by projecting patterns on the surface of the eye with infrared LEDs that are monitored by small cameras and the resolution adapts to the movements of the eye. Human-eye-level resolution can be achieved without supercomputers if it is known what point the human eye is looking at at any given moment. The maximum computing power is always focused on the current point.

Varjo’s technology uses video cameras to constantly capture the environment for the purposes of mixed reality. This means that the images from the real world work on the same principle – the high-resolution image comes from the focal point. This allows powerful gaming computers to be used to operate the technology instead of supercomputers.

The collaboration between Saab and Varjo has worked very well for several years now, and it has expanded to Varjo technologies being integrated into the Gripen E/F fighter simulator.

“We’re finalising the basic functionalities in our own simulator so that we can use Varjo XR-3 headsets in all our flight simulators. We’ve previously carried out smaller, independent prototype-like projects but now we’re integrating them into our actual flight simulators,” says Furenbäck.

Varjo and VRM Switzerland Make History: First VR Simulator Officially Qualified by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

Helsinki, Finland / Dübendorf, Switzerland – April 26, 2021 – The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has for the first time ever officially qualified a virtual reality–based training solution for aviation training.

Developed and built by VRM Switzerland, the helicopter pilot simulator features Varjo’s latest human-eye resolution virtual reality headsets, Varjo VR-3, as well as unique technology developed by the Swiss flight training solution provider.

With the first EASA approved virtual reality simulator, pilots can now have the virtual training time credited to their flight training as well as benefit from the high training value and flexibility of the immersive solution. Since the qualification is done directly by the aviation authority, any customers of VRM Switzerland can start using the VR training solution without further national certification according to EASA regulations. This enables flight schools and helicopter companies to use the latest technology to increase flight safety, to offer more cost-effective training solutions, and to train in a more environmentally friendly way, at any time.

“Varjo is honored to be a part the world’s first EASA authorized pilot simulator with our highest-fidelity virtual reality device, the Varjo VR-3. This is a truly pivotal moment for the entire VR/XR industry, proving that immersive simulations can bring very tangible benefits for pilot training. Together with VRM Switzerland, we look forward to providing and scaling cost-effective, photorealistic virtual simulation training to pilots worldwide,” said Seppo Aaltonen, Chief Commercial Officer at Varjo.

Fabi Riesen, CEO at VRM Switzerland, said: “Pilots should receive realistic training on simulators. This allows helicopter operators and flight schools to fly more efficiently and safely. Thanks to our cooperation with the authority, we can offer training that is directly creditable. Our VR concept, which includes the Varjo VR-3 Head Mounted Display (HMD), Pose Tracking combined with a VR Haptic Cockpit on a highly dynamic 6DOF motion platform, provides a training device with the highest possible visual fidelity, allowing pilots to be fully immersed.”

Contact:

Name: Annaleena Kuronen

Email Address: annaleena@varjo.com

Lucid Reality Labs Joined Varjo Software Partnership Program

Lucid Reality Labs has joined Varjo Software Partnership Program which aims to expand the boundaries of innovation in cooperation with top developers worldwide, allowing partners, integrators and software providers to create next level VR/AR solutions. The program allows applicants to receive integration support as well as early access to Varjo developed software, as well as qualify to receive a free Varjo VR-2 or VR-2 Pro device for their further software solutions development.

With this partnership Lucid Reality Labs is planning to bring an unparalleled level of immersion, visual fidelity and accuracy to the Virtual and Mixed Reality training and simulations created for Healthcare, Pharma and Education industry clients.

Varjo immersive VR devices allow to optimize processes, build unique experiences to enhance the workflow and are compatible with a variety of software and 3D platforms for experience development. The development is supported for both Unity in the XR SDK environment and Unreal SDK development and migration, it is also possible to use Varjo Native SDK build immersive experiences.

The Varjo Technologies, founded in 2016 has launched a number of headset devices to revolutionize the way immersive experiences are designed and built. Varjo has allowed developers to create natural mixed and virtual reality experiences with their series of human-eye resolution VR and XR headset, and has been striving to push the experiences further.

In their March 4, 2021 Press Release, announcing the beginning of shipment of their next generation XR-3 and VR-3 headsets, Urho Konttori the VARJO Co-Founder & CTO says:
“Thanks to a lower price point, coupled with the absolute best technology available, such as human-eye resolution at over 70 pixels per degree and LiDAR for seamless depth awareness, these headsets unlock an entirely new set of experiences where users can no longer tell the difference between what is real and what is not. This is an essential factor for driving broader professional adoption and seamlessly integrating XR technologies into users’ daily workflows.”

ALEX DZYUBA, LUCID REALITY LABS CEO
“With the rapid development of VR device technology we are moving closer to the next generation of immersive experiences. We have already entered the realm of new realism and engagement in spatial technologies.”

Contact

Name: Alex Dzyuba

Email Address: alex.dzyuba@lucidrealitylabs.com

Website URL: http://lucidrealitylabs.com/

Varjo becomes the First Extended Reality Hardware Provider to Join Unity's Verified Solution Partner Program

The partnership between Varjo and Unity will empower even more professionals to build high-quality, photorealistic 3D experiences and drive innovation across industries. As a Unity Verified Solution Partner, all Varjo headsets – including the newly released Varjo XR-3 and VR-3 – now have complete, verified and seamless compatibility with the latest Unity releases.

Helsinki, Finland – March 2, 2021 – Varjo, the leader in high-performance XR/VR hardware and software, today announced that it is now a Unity Verified Solution Partner – the first official XR/VR hardware provider to join this exclusive program. Unity is the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, filmmakers, and more, use Unity to make their imaginations come to life.

The partnership between Varjo and Unity will empower even more professionals to build high-quality, photorealistic 3D experiences and drive innovation across industries. As a Unity Verified Solution Partner, all Varjo headsets – including the newly released Varjo XR-3 and VR-3 – now have complete, verified and seamless compatibility with the latest Unity releases. Unity developers can now take full advantage of Varjo’s unique VR and XR capabilities such as industry-leading human-eye resolution visual fidelity (at over 70 pixels per degree), photorealistic video pass-through mixed reality, real-time chroma keying, and more.

“Varjo is constantly pushing the bounds of what is possible for high-fidelity immersive experiences,” said Timoni West, Vice President, Augmented & Virtual Reality at Unity. “Unity developers can now be sure their high-resolution, detailed environments and experiences will display beautifully on Varjo devices, and trust that their applications will work seamlessly with these groundbreaking headsets.”

With this formalized collaboration between Unity and Varjo, it is now extremely easy for developers to create real-time 3D mixed reality content for Varjo hardware. Thanks to its low-latency video pass-through, the Varjo XR-3 is the first and the only device capable of portraying all aspects of extended reality, from virtual reality to photorealistic augmented and mixed reality, and offering combined AR/VR support in Unity.

The Varjo XR-3 is the first and the only device capable of portraying all aspects of extended reality, from virtual reality to photorealistic augmented and mixed reality, and offering combined AR/VR support in Unity.

“Together, Unity and Varjo are powering the creation of immersive experiences that appear as real as the world we live in,” says Marcus Olsson, Head of Software Partnerships at Varjo. “We’re confident that our partnership can help drive a paradigm mindset shift from developing real-time 3D content, towards building true extended reality experiences where users can no longer tell the difference between what is real and what is virtual.”

In 2019, Varjo and Volvo Cars utilized Unity to develop the world’s first pass-through video viewing, enabling users to see what is going on in the outside world. Combining the capabilities of Varjo’s technology with Volvo’s superior models and Unity’s photorealistic graphics, Volvo developers can now perform design-studies of future vehicle models before they are even built by adding photorealistic virtual elements to the interior of the vehicle.

“Through our combined use of Varjo’s mixed reality headsets and the unique power of Unity’s real-time 3D engine, we are pioneering automotive design work,” said Christian Braun, Vice President of Visual Art Design at Volvo. “The immersive experiences we are able to create are so realistic that we can now accurately explore and test new design possibilities for aesthetics and safety that weren’t possible until now. Not only are these advanced technologies enhancing and streamlining our entire design process from start to finish, but Varjo and Unity are also getting us closer to realizing our dream for the future of creativity.”

As a Unity Verified Solution Partner, Varjo will continue to work with Unity to make it even easier for enterprises to develop compelling immersive solutions.

To meet this end, Varjo would like to invite all Unity developers, enterprise integrators and software providers to join Varjo’s Software Partner Program. By applying to the program, Unity developers can unlock significant discounts and benefits on Varjo’s industry-leading devices. Qualified Unity developers may even receive a free Varjo device to kickstart developing photorealistic VR/XR experiences today.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://developer.varjo.com/

Laerdal is developing the next generation of immersive, effective mixed reality training for medical scenarios (Varjo Case Study)

One of Varjo’s latest customer use cases is taking advantage of Varjo’s newest generation of XR headsets, the XR-3. When Laerdal, a global leader in patient simulation, set an ambitious company mission to help save an additional one million lives every year by 2030, they turned to Varjo to help develop new immersive simulation solutions for medical scenarios. 

The new training solutions can combine existing technologies such as data collection, immersive simulation and cloud-based infrastructure to deliver something never seen before. With the help of immersive technology, teams of healthcare professionals from across the world can work together in any medical scenario, seamlessly collaborating and sharing their knowledge. Even more importantly, this concept will offer a fail-safe learning environment to train within, giving people a safe way to learn from mistakes and better prepare for unexpected events without jeopardizing actual lives. 

For more information, you can read the case study in its entirety by clicking here

The Finnish Air Force Improves Pilot Training with LVC & Mixed Reality (Varjo Case Study)

Varjo is collaborating with the Finnish Air Force, Patria, and BI Simulations to integrate mixed reality technology into a pioneering Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training solution for fighter pilot training. Using Varjo’s virtual and mixed reality headsets with human-eye resolution, pilots can now distinguish even the smallest details in the cockpit and experience a highly photorealistic simulated training environment. 

You can read the case study in its entirety by clicking HERE, or alternatively, Jessica Kaiser jessica@carvecom.com would be happy to connect you with a Varjo spokesperson who can talk more about how the Finnish Air Force is using mixed reality technology to augment live exercises and unlock new training possibilities!

Varjo Launches its XR-3 and VR-3 Headsets to Bring the Next Generation of Immersive Technology to Every Workplace

Helsinki, Finland – Varjo™, the leader in high-performance XR/VR hardware and software, today announced the launch of its next generation human-eye resolution XR/VR headsets – the XR-3 and VR-3. These two new professional-grade headsets continue Varjo’s ‘Resolution Revolution’ as the latest devices in a product line committed to delivering unsurpassed visual fidelity across industries where absolute precision is necessary, including training and simulation, design, engineering, medical and research.

As demand for virtual and mixed reality use cases continues to rise, particularly as much of the world continues to work remotely, the latest offerings from Varjo deliver the cutting-edge tools needed to scale XR/VR adoption within every industry. Featuring human-eye resolution, a 115° field of view, integrated eye and hand tracking, XR-3 inside-out tracking and pixel perfect mixed reality depth awareness, professional users can perform at their highest level in a fully immersive environment.

“Our team has been working non-stop throughout 2020 to further push the envelope of what is possible in XR and VR. The new XR-3 and VR-3 are the most advanced, zero-compromise devices on the market and suitable for any professional workflow,” said Urho Konttori, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Varjo. “We are especially excited by the introduction of depth awareness in the XR-3 through combined LiDAR and RGB video, enabling the most realistic mixed reality experiences ever seen. With our highest-performance XR, Varjo is setting the new standard for professional immersive computing and paving the way for a collaborative, cloud-enabled mixed reality workplace.”

The XR-3 and VR-3 unlock new professional applications and make photorealistic virtual and mixed reality more accessible than ever.

For example, the new headsets provide pilots and flight crews with an unmatched level of realism that replicates the exact feeling and conditions needed for rigorous training and simulation. Designers and creatives can experience perfect 3D visualizations – meaning textures, reflections, colors, text, curvature and angles in shapes can be seen in stunning clarity with the widest color gamut of any headset. Lastly, first responders or surgical teams can train together in an immersive reality, improving ways of working, communication and readiness for any medical scenario.

Key features of both the XR-3 and VR-3 include:

– Industry’s highest resolution in a 115° field of view. This is possible through Varjo’s full frame Bionic Display™ with double the human-eye resolution area (at over 70 pixels per degree) compared to previous generations. The headsets now also support ultra-high resolution across the full frame, as well as color accuracy that mirrors the real world.
– Twice the performance for enhanced levels of realism and visual clarity. With a refresh rate of 90 Hz, the XR-3 and VR-3 also have the world’s fastest and most accurate eye tracking integrated in XR/VR headsets at up to 200 Hz, giving users optimized visual fidelity through foveated rendering.
– Integrated Ultraleap™ hand tracking for natural interactions.
– Improved comfort and usability with 3-point precision fit headband, 40% lighter weight, active cooling, and ultra-wide optical design removing eye strain and simulator sickness
Complete software compatibility with Unity™, Unreal Engine™, OpenXR 1.0 (in early 2021) and hundreds of industrial 3D software, including Autodesk VRED™, Lockheed Martin Prepar3d™, VBS BlueIG™ and FlightSafety Vital™

Key features specific to the Varjo XR-3 include:

– The industry’s first depth awareness with LiDAR and stereo RGB video pass-through to deliver seamless merging of real and virtual for perfect occlusions and full 3D world reconstruction
– Inside-out tracking enables users to determine the precise position of the XR-3 within the environment. This removes the need for SteamVR™ base stations for more flexible deployments

With the launch of VR-3 and XR-3, Varjo also modernizes its software offering by introducing Varjo Subscriptions to replace the previous software and support services. Professional customers can now more easily and flexibly manage and acquire Varjo software from a dedicated portal.

The Varjo XR-3 is available for enterprise purchase for $5,495 (USD and Euros) together with Varjo Subscription, which starts at $1,495 (USD and Euros) for a required one-year base subscription. The Varjo VR-3 can be purchased for $3,195 (USD and Euros) along with a one-year subscription starting at $795. With a new price point of the headsets, Varjo is accelerating organizations’ ability to bring immersive technology into the workplace.

Both the XR-3 and VR-3 headsets are available for order immediately on varjo.com or through one of the more than 35 authorized resellers in the company’s global reseller network, while shipments start in early 2021.

For more information, please contact press@varjo.com

Website URL: http://varjo.com/press-release/varjo-launches-xr-3-and-vr-3-headsets-to-bring-the-next-generation-of-immersive-technology-to-every-workplace/

Contact

Name: Annaleena Kuronen

Email Address: annaleena@varjo.com

Lenovo Becomes Reseller of Varjo Headsets to Deliver Complete Solution for Virtual and Mixed Reality Applications

Lenovo's announcement today that it has become a reseller of Varjo’s human-eye resolution VR and XR headsets. This further deepens the existing collaboration between the two enterprise-class manufacturers and allows customers to easily access a complete solution for their professional virtual and mixed reality workflows. Through the reseller agreement, users can purchase “Certified for Varjo” workstations along with any device available in Varjo’s portfolio via Lenovo’s distribution channels.  

Expanded offering allows customers to purchase certified workstations with industrial-grade VR/XR devices

October 26, 2020 – Today, Lenovo™ announced it has become a reseller of Varjo’s human-eye resolution VR and XR headsets. This further deepens the existing collaboration between the two enterprise-class manufacturers and allows customers to easily access a complete solution for their professional virtual and mixed reality workflows. Through the reseller agreement, users can purchase “Certified for Varjo” workstations along with any device available in Varjo’s portfolio via Lenovo’s distribution channels.

“Many existing VR offerings in the market today are enterprise versions of a consumer designed product,” said Mike Leach, solution portfolio lead, Lenovo. “However, Lenovo’s professional workstations and Varjo’s VR and XR headsets are specifically engineered to perform in the most sophisticated and demanding enterprise use cases. Our ability to offer customers a single point of purchase for certified workstations and VR/XR devices streamlines access to the tools needed for immersive workflows that are changing the way we work today.”

The agreement not only eases enterprise adoption of virtual and mixed reality, but further accelerates an organization’s ability to bring immersive technology into the workplace. The Lenovo and Varjo combined solutions are ideal for use cases that demand high visual fidelity and require outstanding processing performance. This spans across a variety of industries focused on design visualization, engineering, advanced training and simulation, medical imaging and demanding scientific research.

The two companies continue to collaborate and test workstation and headset pairings to deliver a compatible and trusted solution that removes the guesswork for enterprise users. As a result, today’s announcement also marks the expansion of Lenovo’s catalog of certified workstations to ensure a high-performance experience when deploying virtual and mixed reality applications. The following professional desktop and mobile workstations have been certified to work with Varjo’s various headsets and are capable of delivering the processing and compute power needed to achieve the next-generation of spatial computing:

●      Optimized to support the VR-2, VR-2 Pro and XR-1 devices:

○      ThinkStation P520

○      ThinkStation P720

○      ThinkStation P920

●      Optimized to support the VR-2 and VR-2 Pro devices:

○      ThinkPad P53

○      ThinkPad P73

○      ThinkPad P15

○      ThinkPad P17

“One of the biggest obstacles in accelerating the usage and growth of professional VR/XR is getting all the right equipment sourced for an enterprise-grade set-up and ensuring compatibility between computers and headsets,” said Timo Toikkanen, CEO of Varjo. “With Lenovo becoming a Varjo reseller, we eliminate a lot of this complexity, making it even easier for customers to adopt VR/XR in the workplace for increased productivity and ROI.”

Customers can purchase certified Lenovo workstations and Varjo headsets immediately by contacting a local Lenovo representative or by clicking on the “Contact Us” icon on Lenovo.com.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US $50 billion Fortune Global 500 company, with 63,000 employees and operating in 180 markets around the world.  Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society. By designing, engineering and building the world’s most complete portfolio of smart devices and infrastructure, we are also leading an Intelligent Transformation – to create better experiences and opportunities for millions of customers around the world. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Weibo and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

LENOVO, THINKPAD and THINKSTATION are trademarks of Lenovo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

©2020, Lenovo Group Limited.

About Varjo:
Varjo (pronounced var-yo) is based in Helsinki and is creating the world’s most advanced VR/XR hardware and software for industrial use, merging the real and virtual worlds seamlessly together in human-eye resolution. www.varjo.com

Varjo and KIA Motors: Driving the Future with XR Collaboration in Car Design

Today Varjo and KIA Motors revealed an exciting new use case around the future of automotive design. Leveraging Autodesk VRED’s latest release that just added support for mixed reality through Varjo’s XR-1 device, KIA is among the first automakers to apply these innovative technologies in their design process. This has become particularly relevant in this new era of COVID where the ability to collaborate remotely and reliably with teams across the globe has never been more crucial.  

Kia Motors has always been an industry leader when it comes to implementing new and innovative tech in their design process. Now, with Varjo XR-1 supported by Autodesk VRED, Kia’s visualization process can move to a totally immersive photorealistic environment. And that means global design reviews can go from days to an hour.

Photorealistic, real-scale and hands-on – Seeing is believing

There’s magic happening in the Europe Design Center of Kia Motors – the South Korean automotive company. Thomas Unterluggauer is the center’s Creative Manager CGI. He’s wearing the Varjo XR-1 headset as he works on a Kia model in the studio; moving seamlessly between the real and virtual car in front of him, and making changes on the fly.

What he’s seeing and doing in the Kia studio hasn’t been possible until now. Welcome to the new reality.

Kia’s European design studio, led by Gregory Guillaume (in the picture), is a pioneer in integrating new technologies into their design workflow. With a digital 3D department, design teams and visualization experts, its goal is to always exceed expectations – both for Kia customers and the company’s leadership in South Korea.

When Kia’s European team tried out Varjo’s VR headset for the first time, they were blown away by the clarity and the resolution compared to all other headsets.

“For the first time, we could literally see the metallic flakes in the paint and perceive the depth and quality of the material shaders. We could see the beauty of the details more than ever before in the virtual world. Varjo is the only device capable of this level of clarity and sharpness,” Unterluggauer says.

Seeing more details in the car exterior was a breakthrough. But when Unterluggauer and the team got to explore the Varjo XR-1 mixed reality device, they realized they could also use it to take their design work to new heights.

With Varjo XR-1, designers can work with their colleagues in the physical design space they’re used to and collaborate on photorealistic, real-scale virtual car models while seeing their hands and bodies. In an immersive mixed reality experience like this, they’re able to talk as they go, give immediate feedback, and run more engaging reviews.

“Immersive collaboration works way more naturally than we expected. This is something I’ve always wished for and with the Varjo device, it’s now a reality,” adds Gregory Guillaume, Vice President of Design at Kia Motors Europe.

At the end of a mixed reality session, Unterluggauer takes off the Varjo XR-1 headset and looks back into the room. “It’s fascinating how quickly you adapt to the mixed reality. You’re tricked into thinking for a moment that reality is wrong, that there is something missing. It’s completely different to any other experience I’ve ever had in VR,” he says. And there’s that magic again.

Kia’s workflow changes up a gear with VR/XR

Located in Frankfurt, Germany, Kia’s Europe Design Center is helping to change perceptions of the Kia brand across the continent as well as worldwide. Its dedicated team of designers create concept cars of the future as well as production models for both Europe and the global market.

The ability to design and collaborate with Varjo’s photorealistic VR/XR and Autodesk VRED is a total game-changer for Kia’s designers.

Until recently, the automotive design process relied a lot on 2D reviews on screens and powerwalls, followed by physical clay models and prototypes to further refine and develop the surfaces.

As manager of the studio’s digital department, Frank Hübbe knows all too well that a 2D model is always a projection that lacks volume. “Although you can use keyboard, mouse, and screen to work efficiently in 2D, you’ll never get a fully realistic impression of the car,” he says. Today, Kia Europe’s designers are complementing their entire workflow with virtual and mixed reality. The teams are using VR/XR technologies to make their visualization work more effective and showcase projects in new ways.

For example, designers are able to review a virtual model directly against a physical model in the same room, or even augment an existing clay model with virtual details.

“With VRED and the Varjo XR-1, you have the context of the real world and the flexibility of the virtual world,” Hübbe says.

Read more here

Varjo Receives grant from Epic Games to further its support for Unreal Engine. MegaGrants is a $100M program.

Varjo announced its receipt of a MegaGrant from Epic Games. Varjo will use the grant to further develop and expand its enterprise-grade mixed reality support for Unreal Engine. More specifically, the grant will be utilized in support of the Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition headset as part of the mainline offering of Unreal Engine, strengthening immersive solutions for enterprises worldwide.

Varjo to Bring Enhanced Mixed Reality Solutions to Enterprise Customers

Varjo receives Epic MegaGrant to further develop and expand its enterprise-grade mixed reality support for Unreal Engine

Helsinki, Finland – July 30, 2020 – Varjo, a leading provider of industrial-grade VR/XR headsets and software, has received a MegaGrant by Epic Games to further develop its mixed reality support for Unreal Engine. Epic MegaGrants is a $100 million program that supports creators doing amazing things with Unreal Engine or enhancing open-source capabilities for the 3D graphics community. The sizable MegaGrant will be utilized in support of the Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition headset as part of the mainline offering of Unreal Engine, strengthening immersive solutions for enterprises worldwide.

“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. “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.”

Varjo devices are used worldwide by commercial, government, and academic organizations to train pilots and astronauts, conduct automotive design reviews, and run consumer and clinical research leveraging immersive environments. With Varjo, professionals can create and train in true-to-life VR/XR with analytics capabilities enabled by the integrated 20/20 Eye Tracker. Varjo’s key 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. 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.”

The Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition brings unique features to the market offering human-eye resolution visual fidelity (over 60 PPD in the center of the field of view), integrated depth sensing, and low latency video pass-through mixed reality. With the Varjo XR-1, developers are able to create highly immersive, cost-effective virtual and mixed reality simulation experiences for a broad range of use cases including industrial design, AEC, medicine/telemedicine, research, and simulation and training scenarios across land, sea, air, and space use cases. With Varjo, trainees can for the first time read text on displays and interact with the smallest buttons, switches and gauges, as well as see objects at realistic visibility ranges.

Click here to learn more about how Varjo’s devices are being used in some of the world’s most demanding industries.

About Varjo

Varjo is based in Helsinki and is creating the world’s most advanced virtual and mixed reality devices for industrial use, merging the real and virtual worlds seamlessly together in human-eye resolution. www.varjo.com

About Unreal Engine

Epic Games’ Unreal Engine is the world’s most open and advanced real-time 3D tool. Creators across games, film, television, architecture, automotive and transportation, advertising, live events, and training and simulation choose Unreal to deliver cutting-edge content, interactive experiences, and immersive virtual worlds. Follow @UnrealEngine and download Unreal for free at unrealengine.com. 

Varjo unveils 'Retina' resolution enterprise VR headset with SteamVR and Hand-Tracking to be showcased at the VR/AR Global Summit

Come see Varjo Exhibit and Demo at the VR/AR Global Summit Nov 1-2

Varjo Technologies announced two industrial-grade virtual reality/mixed reality headsets for enterprise VR applications such as designing cars. These two new products are part of Varjo’s “Resolution Revolution,” a product line committed to delivering human eye-resolution (over 60 PPD) and fidelity to the most demanding sectors of the professional market. With the introduction of the VR-2 and VR-2 Pro devices, Varjo said it is raising the bar on VR clarity and lowering the barrier for enterprise usability of VR.

Both the VR-2 and the higher-end VR-2 Pro include support for SteamVR content, as well as the OpenVR development platform from Valve, at ultra-high resolutions (up to 40 PPD/4K rendering per eye) so professional users can quickly and easily access a full range of applications for research, analytics, training and simulation, industrial design, and more.

These software tools are now available to the professional market, delivering better 3D models and simulations. The VR-2 Pro also comes with integrated Ultraleap hand-tracking technology, which enables more intuitive interactions with the highest-fidelity VR content. With Ultraleap, you can feel haptic feedback as you touch objects in virtual reality with your fingers. This is especially useful for simulation professionals who interact with physical controllers and switches as part of their VR training, Varjo said.

“We have seen first-hand what the power of human-eye resolution in VR can offer in terms of expanding the realm of applications for the enterprise,” said Urho Konttori, chief product officer of Varjo, in a statement. “Today we bring the Resolution Revolution overnight to nearly all industrial applications, unlocking the next level of professional VR. With VR-2 and VR-2 Pro, professionals can benefit from the industry’s highest visual fidelity and the most precise eye-tracking joining forces with the leading hand tracking technology.”

Building on Varjo’s advanced 20/20 Eye Tracker technology, the new products offer faster and more accurate calibration performance, giving professionals access to precise eye data for applications such as consumer research or safety-critical training. Additionally, the next-generation Bionic Display in both the VR-2 and the VR-2 Pro features better peripheral vision and color consistency than before. That helps in car design, architectural projects, advanced simulations, or research scenarios.

“One of the main goals of SteamVR is to support a diverse ecosystem of hardware and software. Varjo is taking a unique approach to building high-end industrial VR products, and we are excited that users of Varjo will be able to take advantage of the wide array of SteamVR content for professionals,” said Joe Ludwig, a programmer at Valve, in a statement.

Steve Cliffe, CEO of Ultraleap, said, in a statement, “Being able to see in high fidelity and interact without controllers revolutionizes professional VR. Varjo’s human-eye resolution visual fidelity is unprecedented. So is the accuracy and low latency of Ultraleap’s hand tracking. The Varjo VR-2 Pro is the best integration of the two technologies and sets a new standard for natural user experience in VR. We’re very excited about the value it will unlock for demanding use-cases such as training, simulation and industrial design.”

The VR-2 and the VR-2 Pro are available for sale starting today at $4,995 and $5,995 respectively, sold together with Varjo’s software and support services starting at another $795.

“The ultra-high resolution that Varjo brings to Gravity Sketch via SteamVR compatibility is something we are very excited about. We see strong use cases for our customers in the Automotive and Industrial Design industries in applications where absolute visual quality is needed,” said Oluwaseyi Sosanya, CEO of Gravity Sketch, in a statement.

Varjo VR-1 can help minimize human errors in the most safety-critical environment. The cost of VR is 1/10th of "physical costs"

Come meet Varjo at the VR/AR Global Summit Nov 1-2

With the help of virtual reality, design validations as well as operator training at nuclear power plants can now be done more effectively. The Loviisa plant in Finland is the first nuclear power plant in the world building a dedicated VR training room for control room operators. And the Varjo VR-1 is the only virtual reality device that is up to the challenge.

When it comes to industrial environments, the nuclear industry leads the way in improving safety. Enormous amounts of money are spent yearly on the design and validation of the human-machine interfaces, as well as procedure optimization. Nuclear power plant operators worldwide act according to strict manuals. Nothing is left to chance. The goal is to maximize safety and efficiency, and human-machine interfaces play an important role in it.

Joakim Bergroth is a human factor engineering expert with over 10 years of experience in the nuclear field. His responsibility as the product lead at Fortum eSite is to develop and take new technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality (VR & AR), into daily use at nuclear power plants and other safety-critical environments. Fortum is one of the largest power generation companies in the Nordics, and Fortum eSite is their internal venture which provides leading industrial-grade VR solutions to safety-critical environments and the process industry in general.

Bergroth is also involved in the implementation of the world’s first fully dynamic and interactive virtual reality control room in Loviisa, where the operators are now getting ready to take VR into training and daily use on site.

“Fortum eSite’s virtual validation solution is globally unique – nobody else has done integrated system validation for nuclear power plant control rooms up till now.”

Already now, 90% of Loviisa personnel have done training in VR environments.

“In safety-critical environments and process industries, human errors can lead to serious accidents and production losses. Millions of euros are used to build physical simulators where operators can practice different scenarios from small disturbances, such as pipe leakages, to severe accident trainings. The physical simulators are usually fully booked, which doesn’t leave much time for additional testing or evaluations,” Bergroth says.

Training in a traditional physical simulator is expensive, but building a physical simulator is even more expensive. A physical simulator means building an exact, functional replica of the real environment, such as the control room of a power plant. Recreating a virtual replica costs only a fraction compared to that, bringing about huge cost savings and the ability to implement changes quickly.

“The cost of a VR simulator is 1/10th of the cost of building a physical simulator. And with the Varjo VR-1, the visual fidelity of our virtual simulator is finally on a level that it should be.”

Read the full case from: varjo.com/blog/vr-can-help-minimize-human-errors-in-the-most-safety-critical-environments/

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