Simula One

Simula One
Basic Info
VR/AR	Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	Standalone VR, PC VR
Platform	Linux (SimulaOS/NixOS), SteamVR
Creator	SimulaVR
Developer	SimulaVR
Manufacturer	SimulaVR
Announcement Date	2022
Release Date	Q4 2023+ (shipping timeline)
Price	$2,699 (Founders Edition higher)
Website	https://simulavr.com/
Versions	Simula One, Simula One Founders Edition
Requires	None (standalone), PC optional for tethered SteamVR
Predecessor	None
Successor	None announced
System
Operating System	SimulaOS (NixOS-based Linux)
Chipset	Intel Core i7-1365U (mobile)
CPU	Intel Core i7-1365U
GPU	Intel Iris Xe
Storage
Storage	1TB SSD
Memory	16GB (32GB Founders Edition)
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Dual LCD
Subpixel Layout	RGB stripe
Peak Brightness	Not specified
Resolution	2448 × 2448 per eye
Pixel Density	35.5 PPD (36.2 PPD)
Refresh Rate	90Hz
Persistence	Low persistence
Image
Field of View	100° (diagonal, monocular)
Horizontal FoV	~90°
Vertical FoV	~90°
Average Pixel Density	35.5-36.2 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	36.2 PPD
Foveated Rendering	Planned (eye tracking enabled)
Optics
Optics	Custom 3-lens (non-Fresnel)
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	55-77mm (automatic independent adjustment)
Adjustable Diopter	No
Passthrough	Yes (dual RGB cameras, AR)
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF (inside-out)
Tracking Frequency	Not specified
Base Stations	None required (inside-out)
Eye Tracking	Yes
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	Yes
Body Tracking	No
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Update Rate	90Hz
Tracking Volume	Room-scale
Play Space	Roomscale/Office
Latency	Low latency
Audio
Audio	Integrated speakers
Microphone	Yes
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	Dual wide-angle high-resolution RGB (AR passthrough)
Connectivity
Connectivity	USB4/Thunderbolt 4, 2× USB-C 3.2, 2× USB-A 3
Ports	USB4, USB-C 3.2, USB-A, 3.5mm
Wired Video	Yes (PC tethered mode)
Wireless Video	No
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.2
Power	Internal battery (compute pack)
Battery Capacity	Not specified
Battery Life	Not specified
Charge Time	Not specified
Device
Dimensions	Visor + detachable compute pack
Weight	Not specified
Material	Plastic, modular design
Headstrap	Integrated with rear compute pack
Haptics	No
Color	Black
Sensors	Eye tracking, hand tracking, cameras, IMU
Input	Eye tracking, hand tracking, keyboard/mouse, controllers
Compliance	FCC, CE (expected)

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The Simula One is a standalone virtual reality and mixed reality head-mounted display developed by SimulaVR, announced in 2022 with pre-orders at $2,699 and originally planned for shipping no earlier than Q4 2023. The Simula One is uniquely positioned as a "portable Linux VR computer," natively running SimulaOS (built on NixOS and the Godot game engine) to serve as a complete virtual reality workstation—targeting programmers, software engineers, and developers who use Linux professionally rather than gamers. The headset features an impressive 35.5-36.2 PPD (pixels per degree), higher than any other portable VR headset at announcement, achieved with 2448 × 2448 per eye resolution, custom non-Fresnel 3-lens optics, and a 100° diagonal field of view. Powered by a detachable rear compute pack containing an Intel Core i7-1365U processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16-32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, the modular design allows theoretical future upgrades without replacing the entire headset. The Simula One includes 6DoF tracking, eye tracking, hand tracking, dual RGB cameras for AR passthrough, and extensive connectivity (USB4/Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A)—and can be tethered to a Windows/Linux PC for SteamVR gaming when the compute pack is detached.

History and Development

SimulaVR Background

Company origins:

Founded for Linux VR desktop
Open-source foundation (GitHub)
Developer community focus
Productivity VR vision

Linux VR Vision

Core philosophy:

Native Linux operation
Productivity focus over gaming
Developer/programmer target
Complete workstation

2022 Announcement

Pre-order launch:

$2,699 pricing
Founders Edition higher tier
Developer community interest
Unique market position

Development Status

Timeline:

Pre-orders open 2022
Q4 2023+ shipping target
Continued development
Community updates

Design Philosophy

Portable Linux Computer

Complete workstation:

Native Linux operation
Full desktop environment
Developer tools
Productivity focus

Not Gaming-Focused

Unique positioning:

Productivity first
Software development
Professional work
Gaming via tethered mode

Highest PPD Portable

Visual clarity priority:

35.5-36.2 PPD
Text readability
Code visibility
Productivity suitable

Modular Upgradability

Future-proof design:

Detachable compute pack
Theoretical upgrades
Component replacement
Long-term investment

Display Technology

High-Resolution Panels

Visual specifications:

Resolution: 2448 × 2448 per eye
Type: LCD
PPD: 35.5-36.2 pixels per degree
Highest portable PPD at announcement

Refresh Rate

Performance:

Refresh: 90Hz
Smooth rendering
Low persistence
Office appropriate

Field of View

Viewing area:

FOV: 100° diagonal (monocular)
~90° horizontal
Comfortable viewing
Productivity suitable

Custom Non-Fresnel Optics

Lens design:

3-lens optical system
Non-Fresnel (no God rays)
Edge-to-edge clarity
Premium quality

Processing Power

Intel Core i7-1365U

Compute pack specifications:

CPU: Intel Core i7-1365U
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
Mobile workstation class
Efficiency focused

Memory

RAM configurations:

Standard: 16GB
Founders Edition: 32GB
Developer workloads
Multi-application capable

Storage

Local capacity:

SSD: 1TB
NVMe performance
Application storage
Development projects

Modular Compute

Detachable design:

Rear compute pack
Theoretical upgrades
Component isolation
Future flexibility

Tracking Systems

6DoF Inside-Out

Positional tracking:

Type: 6DoF
Inside-out cameras
No base stations
Room-scale capable

Eye Tracking

Gaze detection:

Integrated eye tracking
IPD adjustment
Foveated rendering potential
Input method

Hand Tracking

Controller-free input:

Natural hand gestures
Developer workflow
Accessibility
Alternative input

Automatic IPD

Independent adjustment:

Range: 55-77mm
Per-eye independent
Automatic setting
Wide compatibility

AR Passthrough

Dual RGB Cameras

Mixed reality capability:

Wide-angle cameras
High-resolution
Color passthrough
AR applications

Mixed Reality Use

Productivity applications:

See keyboard/desk
Room awareness
Blended environment
Office integration

Software Platform

SimulaOS

Native operating system:

NixOS-based Linux
Godot game engine
Reproducible configurations
Easy rollbacks

NixOS Foundation

System reliability:

Declarative configuration
System rollbacks
Reproducible builds
Developer-friendly

Linux Desktop in VR

Virtual environment:

Full Linux desktop
Application windows
Multi-monitor equivalent
Developer tools

Replaceable OS

Flexibility:

SimulaOS pre-installed
Other Linux distros possible
User customization
Open platform

Connectivity

Extensive Ports

I/O specifications:

USB4: 1× (including Thunderbolt 4)
USB-C 3.2: 2× (DP Alt-Mode)
USB-A 3: 2×
Audio: 3.5mm jack

Tethered Mode

PC connection:

Detach compute pack
Connect to PC
SteamVR gaming
Windows/Linux PC

Wireless

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.2
Network access
Peripheral support

Physical Design

Modular Architecture

Component separation:

Visor module
Detachable compute pack
Upgrade potential
Balanced weight

Compute Pack

Rear module:

Contains i7 processor
RAM and storage
Battery integration
Weight distribution

Ergonomics

Comfort design:

Rear counterweight
Balanced wearing
Extended sessions
Productivity duration

Use Cases

Software Development

Primary target:

Coding in VR
Multi-window workspace
Terminal access
Development environment

Linux Workstation

Productivity:

Full desktop
Office applications
Creative tools
Professional work

Remote Work

Portable office:

Travel workstation
Anywhere productivity
Virtual displays
Focus environment

SteamVR Gaming

Tethered entertainment:

Detach compute
Connect to gaming PC
SteamVR compatible
VR gaming

Comparison with Other Headsets

Feature	Simula One	Meta Quest Pro	Bigscreen Beyond
Price	$2,699	$999	~$1,000
Resolution	2448×2448/eye	1800×1920/eye	2560×2560/eye
PPD	35.5-36.2	~20	~32
Processor	i7-1365U	XR2+ Gen 1	External PC
OS	Linux (SimulaOS)	Meta OS	SteamVR
Standalone	Yes	Yes	No
Target	Developers	Prosumer	Enthusiast
Eye Tracking	Yes	Yes	No

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Highest PPD (35.5-36.2) in portable form
Native Linux (SimulaOS) operation
Full x86 i7 processor
1TB SSD storage
Modular detachable compute pack
Eye and hand tracking
Extensive USB4/Thunderbolt connectivity
Custom non-Fresnel optics

Limitations

High price ($2,699)
Intel Iris Xe limited for gaming
Delayed shipping timeline
Small company (startup risk)
Niche market (Linux developers)
Limited gaming capability standalone
No consumer-focused games ecosystem
Battery life not specified

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification	Details
Display	LCD, 2448 × 2448 per eye
PPD	35.5-36.2 pixels per degree
Refresh Rate	90Hz
FOV	100° diagonal
Processor	Intel Core i7-1365U
GPU	Intel Iris Xe
Memory	16GB (32GB Founders Edition)
Storage	1TB SSD
OS	SimulaOS (NixOS/Linux)
Eye/Hand Tracking	Yes / Yes
Optics	Custom 3-lens non-Fresnel
Price	$2,699

References