Varjo VR-1
| Varjo VR-1 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | PC VR Headset |
| Subtype | Enterprise VR, High-Resolution VR |
| Platform | Windows (SteamVR) |
| Creator | Varjo |
| Developer | Varjo |
| Manufacturer | Varjo |
| Announcement Date | October 2017 |
| Release Date | February 2019 |
| Price | $5,995 + $995/year service license |
| Website | https://varjo.com/ |
| Versions | Varjo VR-1 |
| Requires | High-end Windows PC (GTX 1080+), SteamVR Base Stations |
| Predecessor | Varjo prototypes |
| Successor | Varjo VR-2 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10+ |
| Chipset | PC-dependent |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-6700 minimum |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1080 / Quadro P5000 minimum |
| Storage | |
| Storage | PC-dependent |
| Memory | PC-dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual display per eye (Bionic Display) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB |
| Peak Brightness | High |
| Resolution | Context: 1440×1600/eye, Focus: 1920×1080/eye |
| Pixel Density | 60+ PPD (focus area), 3000 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz (focus), 90Hz (context) |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 87° |
| Horizontal FoV | 87° |
| Vertical FoV | 87° |
| Average Pixel Density | 60+ PPD (focus) |
| Peak Pixel Density | 60+ PPD (3000 PPI) |
| Foveated Rendering | Fixed-foveated (hardware) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Dual optical path (Bionic Display) |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable |
| Adjustable Diopter | No |
| Passthrough | No (VR only) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR/outside-in) |
| Tracking Frequency | High-speed |
| Base Stations | Required (SteamVR) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (integrated) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 90Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Base station dependent |
| Play Space | Room-scale |
| Latency | Low latency |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack |
| Microphone | No |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort, USB |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 |
| Wired Video | Yes |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | Tethered (PC-powered) |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (tethered) |
| Battery Life | N/A |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Professional headset form |
| Weight | ~605g |
| Material | Professional-grade housing |
| Headstrap | Adjustable head strap |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black/Grey |
| Sensors | Eye tracking, IMU |
| Input | SteamVR controllers |
| Compliance | Enterprise certified |
The Varjo VR-1 was the world's first virtual reality headset to achieve "human-eye resolution," developed by Finnish company Varjo and released in February 2019 at $5,995 plus a $995 annual service license. Utilizing Varjo's revolutionary patented Bionic Display technology, the VR-1 combines two displays per eye: a low-persistence AMOLED "Context Display" (1440×1600 per eye) for peripheral vision, and a high-resolution Sony micro-OLED "Focus Display" (1920×1080, 0.7-inch) positioned in the center, delivering an unprecedented 60+ pixels per degree (PPD) resolution—equivalent to 20/20 vision—in the foveal region, with 3000 PPI pixel density. This fixed-foveated approach, combined with integrated eye tracking, enables users to read small text, examine fine details, and perform precision tasks impossible on conventional VR headsets. The 87° field of view headset requires SteamVR Base Stations for 6DoF tracking and demands high-end PC hardware (minimum NVIDIA GTX 1080 or Quadro P5000). Compatible with Unity, Unreal Engine, Autodesk VRED, and Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D flight simulator, the VR-1 targeted industrial design, training simulation, architecture, engineering, and construction professionals. Early access partners included Airbus, Audi, Bohemia Interactive Simulations, Foster & Partners, Saab, Volkswagen, and Volvo. The VR-1 was discontinued following the release of the Varjo VR-2 in October 2019, though it established the benchmarks for professional VR resolution that continue to influence the industry.
History and Development
Varjo Origins
Company background:
- Finnish VR startup
- Founded 2016
- Ex-Nokia/Microsoft engineers
- Human-eye resolution goal
Technology Development
Bionic Display creation:
- Dual-display concept
- Optical path innovation
- Resolution breakthrough
- Patent portfolio
October 2017 Announcement
Initial reveal:
- Concept demonstration
- Industry attention
- Early access program
- Partner engagement
February 2019 Release
Commercial launch:
- Production headset
- $5,995 price point
- Enterprise sales
- Global availability
Discontinuation
Product lifecycle:
- VR-2 successor (October 2019)
- Technology advancement
- Legacy product
- Foundation established
Design Philosophy
Human-Eye Resolution
Visual priority:
- 20/20 vision equivalent
- 60+ PPD target
- Readable fine text
- Detail examination
Bionic Display
Dual-display approach:
- Foveal focus area
- Peripheral context
- Combined viewing
- Natural vision emulation
Professional Focus
Enterprise targeting:
- Industrial applications
- Training simulation
- Design review
- Precision work
Premium Positioning
Market segment:
- Enterprise-only
- Premium pricing
- Professional support
- Mission-critical use
Bionic Display Technology
Dual Display Per Eye
Display configuration:
- Focus Display: 1920×1080 micro-OLED (Sony)
- Context Display: 1440×1600 AMOLED
- Combined viewing
- Seamless transition
Focus Display
High-resolution center:
- Resolution: 1920 × 1080
- Size: 0.7 inch (Sony ECX335AF-7)
- PPI: 3000 pixels per inch
- PPD: 60+ pixels per degree
- 20/20 vision quality
Context Display
Peripheral view:
- Resolution: 1440 × 1600 per eye
- Low persistence AMOLED
- Wide angle coverage
- Standard VR quality
Optical Path
Display combination:
- Two optical paths
- Foveal area superimposition
- Peripheral surrounding
- Seamless blending
Resolution Achievement
Human-Eye Resolution
Visual quality:
- PPD: 60+ pixels per degree
- PPI: 3000
- Equivalent: 20/20 vision
- First achievement
Detail Visibility
Capability:
- Small text readable
- Fine detail visible
- Precision measurement
- Professional accuracy
Field of View
FOV Specification
Visual coverage:
- FOV: 87°
- Professional adequate
- Resolution prioritized
- Trade-off balance
Refresh Rate
Dual Rate
Display speeds:
- Focus display: 60Hz
- Context display: 90Hz
- Low persistence
- Smooth motion
Eye Tracking
Integrated System
Gaze detection:
- Built-in eye tracking
- Calibration support
- Performance analytics
- Data capture
Applications
Eye tracking use:
- Attention analysis
- Training assessment
- User research
- Interaction data
Tracking System
SteamVR Tracking
Position system:
- Type: Outside-in
- SteamVR Base Stations required
- 6DoF tracking
- Room-scale capable
Base Station Requirement
External hardware:
- 2+ base stations needed
- SteamVR ecosystem
- Additional cost
- Setup requirement
System Requirements
Minimum Specifications
PC requirements:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6700
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1080 / Quadro P5000
- Port: DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0
- OS: Windows 10
- AMD GPUs not supported
Recommended
Optimal hardware:
- Higher-end GPU
- More VRAM
- Professional GPU (Quadro)
- Workstation PC
Software Compatibility
Game Engines
Development platforms:
- Unity: Supported
- Unreal Engine: Supported
- SteamVR integration
- Developer tools
Professional Software
Enterprise applications:
- Autodesk VRED: Automotive design
- Prepar3D: Flight simulation (Lockheed Martin)
- CAD integration
- Professional workflows
Enterprise Partners
Early Access Partners
Initial customers:
- Automotive: Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo
- Aerospace: Airbus, Saab
- Simulation: Bohemia Interactive Simulations
- Architecture: Foster & Partners, Sellen
Pricing
Hardware Cost
Base price:
- Headset: $5,995
- Enterprise pricing
- Professional market
- High-end segment
Service License
Annual fee:
- Cost: $995/year
- Software updates
- Support access
- Required subscription
Comparison with Enterprise VR (2019)
| Feature | Varjo VR-1 | HTC Vive Pro | HP Reverb | Pimax 5K+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus Resolution | 60+ PPD | ~15 PPD | ~20 PPD | ~15 PPD |
| Display Type | Bionic (dual) | Single OLED | Single LCD | Single LCD |
| FOV | 87° | 110° | 114° | 200° |
| Eye Tracking | Yes | No | No | No |
| Tracking | SteamVR | SteamVR | WMR | SteamVR |
| Target | Enterprise | Pro/Enterprise | Consumer/Pro | Enthusiast |
| Price | $5,995 + $995/yr | ~$1,400 | ~$600 | ~$700 |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 60+ PPD human-eye resolution (world first)
- 3000 PPI in focus area
- Bionic Display dual-display technology
- 20/20 vision equivalent clarity
- Integrated eye tracking
- Fine text readable
- Unity/Unreal/VRED/Prepar3D support
- Professional-grade build
- Enterprise partner ecosystem
- Foundation for Varjo product line
Limitations
- $5,995 + $995/year enterprise pricing
- Requires SteamVR Base Stations
- High-end PC required (GTX 1080+)
- 87° limited FOV
- Heavy (~605g)
- Tethered operation only
- 60Hz focus display refresh
- No AMD GPU support
- Discontinued (VR-2 successor)
- Enterprise-only availability
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Enterprise PC VR headset |
| Display | Bionic Display (dual per eye) |
| Focus Resolution | 1920×1080 micro-OLED (60+ PPD) |
| Context Resolution | 1440×1600 AMOLED |
| PPI | 3000 (focus area) |
| FOV | 87° |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz (focus), 90Hz (context) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (integrated) |
| Tracking | SteamVR (outside-in) |
| Weight | ~605g |
| Price | $5,995 + $995/year |
| Status | Discontinued (2019) |