Varjo XR-4
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| Varjo XR-4 | |
|---|---|
| File:Varjo XR-4.jpg | |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC-Powered AR |
| Platform | SteamVR, OpenXR |
| Creator | Varjo Technologies |
| Developer | Varjo Technologies |
| Manufacturer | Varjo Technologies |
| Announcement Date | November 27, 2023 |
| Release Date | December 2023 |
| Price | $3,990 (no subscription) |
| Website | https://varjo.com |
| Versions | XR-4, XR-4 Focal Edition, XR-4 Secure Edition |
| Requires | High-end PC |
| Predecessor | Varjo XR-3 |
| Successor | Current model |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| Chipset | N/A |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-11900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or better |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4080/4090 or RTX A6000 or better |
| HPU | N/A |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD recommended |
| Memory | 32 GB RAM minimum (64 GB recommended) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Mini-LED |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB |
| Peak Brightness | 300 nits |
| Resolution | 3840×3744 per eye |
| Pixel Density | 51 PPD |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz (120 Hz experimental) |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Precision | Sub-pixel precision |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 120° × 105° (H×V) |
| Horizontal FoV | 120° |
| Vertical FoV | 105° |
| Visible FoV | 120° × 105° |
| Rendered FoV | 120° × 105° |
| Binocular Overlap | 105° |
| Average Pixel Density | 51 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | 51 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Yes (dynamic) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Dual-element aspheric lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 55-75mm (automatic adjustment) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No |
| Passthrough | Yes (20MP cameras + 300k LiDAR) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Inside-out (4 cameras) |
| Tracking Frequency | 200 Hz |
| Base Stations | Not required (optional support) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (200Hz) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (integrated) |
| Body Tracking | Via external trackers |
| Rotational Tracking | 6DOF |
| Positional Tracking | 6DOF |
| Update Rate | 200 Hz |
| Tracking Volume | 7m radius |
| Play Space | Room-scale |
| Latency | <15ms (VR), <15ms (passthrough) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | DTS 3D spatial audio headphones |
| Microphone | Dual noise-cancelling |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 2× 20MP RGB, 2× 300k LiDAR sensors |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 compatible) |
| Ports | 1× USB-C |
| Wired Video | USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | USB-C Power Delivery |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 280mm × 140mm × 120mm |
| Weight | 665g (headset only), 1021g (complete) |
| Material | Carbon fiber composite, magnesium |
| Headstrap | FlexFit ergonomic system |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black with carbon fiber accents |
| Sensors | 200Hz eye tracking, 9-axis IMU, ambient light sensor |
| Input | Hand tracking, SteamVR controllers |
| Compliance | CE, FCC, IC, UKCA, TAA (Secure Edition) |
| Size | Adjustable (S/M/L cushions) |
| Cable Length | 5 meters (16.4 ft) |
The Varjo XR-4 is a professional mixed reality head-mounted display announced on November 27, 2023, by Varjo Technologies. Representing the fourth generation of Varjo's mixed reality technology, the XR-4 series eliminated subscription requirements, introduced inside-out tracking as standard, and achieved price parity with consumer prosumer headsets while maintaining professional-grade specifications.[1]
History
The XR-4 development began in 2022 following feedback from Varjo XR-3 customers and success of the subscription-free Varjo Aero. Key development goals included democratizing professional mixed reality, achieving visual parity between virtual and passthrough modes, and eliminating external tracking requirements.[2]
Major improvements over XR-3:
- 51 PPD uniform resolution (vs dual-display system)
- 20-megapixel passthrough cameras (vs 12MP)
- Inside-out tracking standard (vs external base stations)
- 50% price reduction with no subscription
- 51 PPD passthrough resolution matching virtual display
Technical Specifications
Display Technology
The XR-4 uses advanced Mini-LED panels:
- Resolution: 3840×3744 per eye (14.8 megapixels total)
- Pixel Density: 51 pixels per degree (uniform)
- Panel Type: Fast-switching Mini-LED with local dimming
- Brightness: 300 nits peak, 200 nits sustained
- Contrast: 10,000:1 with local dimming
- Color Gamut: 96% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB
Mixed Reality Cameras
Revolutionary passthrough system:
- RGB Cameras: Dual 20-megapixel global shutter sensors
- Passthrough Resolution: 51 PPD (matching virtual content)
- Frame Rate: 90 fps with <15ms latency
- Dynamic Range: 14 stops with HDR processing
- Low Light: ISO 25,600 equivalent sensitivity
LiDAR Depth System
Enhanced from XR-3:
- Resolution: 300,000 points (300 kpix)
- Range: 0.2m to 7m (extended from 5m)
- Accuracy: ±2mm at 1m distance
- Frame Rate: 60 fps depth updates
- Coverage: 94° × 78° depth sensing FOV
Breakthrough Features
Gaze-Driven Autofocus (Focal Edition)
World's first XR autofocus system:
- Technology: Liquid lens with 200Hz response
- Focus Range: 20cm to infinity
- Eye-Coupled: Focus follows gaze automatically
- Latency: <5ms focus adjustment
- Applications: Solves vergence-accommodation conflict
Inside-Out Tracking
Professional-grade markerless tracking:
- Cameras: 4× wide-angle tracking sensors
- Algorithm: Advanced SLAM with ML enhancement
- Accuracy: Sub-millimeter precision
- Range: 7-meter radius tracking volume
- Persistence: Remembers room layout
Integrated Hand Tracking
Built-in hand interaction:
- Technology: Computer vision with neural networks
- Fingers Tracked: All 10 fingers with 21 points each
- Latency: 11ms hand-to-photon
- Gestures: Library of standard XR interactions
- SDK: Direct hand data access for developers
Software Ecosystem
No Subscription Model
Following Aero's success:
- One-Time Purchase: $3,990
- All Features Included: No feature tiers
- Free Updates: Lifetime software support
- Professional Tools: Full SDK access
Varjo Controller Software
New unified control system:
- Device Management: Configure all settings
- Performance Monitoring: Real-time diagnostics
- User Profiles: Save multiple configurations
- Cloud Sync: Settings backup and restore
Development Support
- Unity Plugin: Native XR-4 features
- Unreal Engine 5: Full integration with Nanite/Lumen
- OpenXR Extensions: Varjo-specific features
- NVIDIA Omniverse: RTX rendering support
Variants
XR-4 Standard Edition
Base professional model:
- All core features
- 20MP passthrough
- 300k LiDAR
- $3,990
XR-4 Focal Edition
With gaze-driven autofocus:
- All Standard features
- Liquid lens autofocus system
- Enhanced eye tracking data
- Premium price (undisclosed)
XR-4 Secure Edition
Government/Defense variant:
System Requirements
Minimum Specifications:
- OS: Windows 10 version 20H2 or Windows 11
- CPU: Intel Core i9-11900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 or RTX A6000
- RAM: 32 GB DDR4-3200
- Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD
- USB: Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C with DP Alt Mode
Recommended Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 or RTX 6000 Ada
- RAM: 64 GB DDR5
- Storage: 2 TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
Industry Applications
Automotive Industry
Enhanced design validation:
- BMW Group: Full vehicle design in MR
- Stellantis: Global design collaboration
- Rimac Automobili: Hypercar development
- Polestar: Sustainable material visualization
Use cases:
- Design reviews with physical clay models
- Ergonomics testing with real drivers
- HMI development and testing
- Virtual showrooms with real products
Healthcare and Medical
- Cleveland Clinic: Surgical planning in MR
- Karolinska Institute: Medical education
- Brainlab: Image-guided surgery
- Siemens Healthineers: MRI/CT visualization
Applications:
- Pre-operative planning with patient data
- Medical device training
- Anatomy education with cadavers
- Rehabilitation therapy
Architecture and Construction
- Zaha Hadid Architects: Parametric design review
- AECOM: Infrastructure visualization
- Trimble: BIM integration
- Autodesk: Native Revit support
Defense and Aerospace
- Lockheed Martin: F-35 maintenance
- Saab: Gripen pilot training
- BAE Systems: Ship design review
- Various contractors: Classified programs
Market Reception
Launch Impact
The XR-4 announcement generated significant attention:
- Price Point: $3,990 shocked industry (50% less than XR-3)
- No Subscription: Praised by enterprise customers
- Feature Set: Exceeded expectations for price
- Availability: Global launch in 40+ countries
Critical Response
Professional reviews were overwhelmingly positive:
Road to VR: "The XR-4 redefines what's possible in mixed reality" UploadVR: "Professional MR at prosumer pricing" VRFocus: "Inside-out tracking rivals base station precision"
Common praise:
- Passthrough quality "indistinguishable from reality"
- Autofocus system "game-changing" for MR
- Price/performance ratio unprecedented
- Ergonomics significantly improved
Criticisms:
- High PC requirements
- No wireless option
- Hand tracking occasionally loses precision
- Limited battery for future standalone use
Technical Innovations
CloudXR Integration
Streaming MR capabilities:
- NVIDIA CloudXR: RTX server rendering
- 5G Support: Ultra-low latency streaming
- Edge Computing: Local cloud deployment
- Multi-User: Synchronized MR sessions
AI-Enhanced Processing
Machine learning throughout:
- Passthrough Enhancement: AI upscaling and denoising
- Hand Tracking: Neural network gesture recognition
- Eye Tracking: Predictive gaze estimation
- SLAM: ML-assisted tracking robustness
Optics Engineering
- Dual-Element Lenses: Reduced aberrations
- Coating Technology: 99.5% light transmission
- Edge-to-Edge Clarity: <2% distortion at edges
- Pancake Design: Considered but rejected for quality
Manufacturing Excellence
Helsinki Production
In-house manufacturing advantages:
- Quality Control: 100% optical calibration
- Lead Time: 5-day average shipping
- Customization: OEM versions available
- Sustainability: Carbon neutral facility
Component Partners
- Display Panels: BOE (custom Mini-LED)
- Cameras: Sony (IMX sensors)
- LiDAR: Proprietary Varjo design
- Lenses: ZEISS (coating technology)
Competitive Landscape
Versus Apple Vision Pro
- XR-4 Advantages: Higher resolution, better passthrough, professional ecosystem
- Vision Pro Advantages: Standalone operation, consumer apps, hand tracking
Versus Meta Quest Pro/3
- XR-4 Advantages: 10× resolution, professional tools, superior passthrough
- Quest Advantages: Standalone, lower price, consumer content
Versus HTC Vive XR Elite
- XR-4 Advantages: Resolution, passthrough quality, eye tracking
- Vive Advantages: Standalone option, lower price point
Future Roadmap
While not officially announced, industry sources suggest:
- Standalone version in development
- Wireless adapter planned for 2025
- 8K per eye displays in testing
- AI copilot for enterprise applications
Impact on Industry
The XR-4's launch influenced the mixed reality landscape:
- Established $4,000 as professional MR baseline
- Proved 50+ PPD necessary for professional use
- Accelerated inside-out tracking adoption
- Validated no-subscription model for enterprise
Technologies popularized:
- Gaze-driven autofocus for XR
- 20MP+ passthrough cameras
- 300k+ point LiDAR integration
- Uniform high-PPD displays
See Also
References
- ↑ "Varjo Releases New XR-4 Series to Deliver Mixed Reality Experiences Indistinguishable from Natural Sight". Varjo. November 27, 2023. https://varjo.com/press-release/varjo-releases-new-xr-4-series-to-deliver-mixed-reality-experiences-indistinguishable-from-natural-sight/.
- ↑ "Finnish startup Varjo launches $3,990 XR-4 mixed reality headset". CNBC. November 27, 2023. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/27/finnish-startup-varjo-launches-3990-xr-4-mixed-reality-headset.html.
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