Varjo XR-1
| Varjo XR-1 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Professional MR |
| Platform | PC, SteamVR |
| Creator | Varjo |
| Price | $9,995 (+ $1,995/year service) |
| Website | https://varjo.com |
| System | |
| CPU | High-end workstation recommended |
| GPU | NVIDIA required (AMD not supported) |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Bionic Display (multi-display system) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1600 per eye (peripheral) |
| Image | |
| Optics | |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (20/20 industrial-grade) |
| Audio | |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Input | SteamVR controllers compatible |
The Varjo XR-1 (XR-1 Developer Edition) was a professional-grade mixed reality head-mounted display developed by Varjo, a Finnish technology company. Released in 2019, the XR-1 was announced as the industry's first photorealistic mixed reality headset, featuring Varjo's Bionic Display technology with human-eye resolution and video pass-through mixed reality capabilities. The headset was designed for demanding industrial applications in engineering, design, simulation, and research.[1]
History and Development
Varjo
Varjo is a Finnish company founded with the mission of creating the highest resolution VR and XR headsets for professional applications. The company name "Varjo" means "shadow" in Finnish.
Industry First
The XR-1 was announced as the first photorealistic mixed reality headset, enabling professionals to blend real and virtual worlds with unprecedented visual fidelity.[2]
Design and Hardware
Bionic Display Technology
The XR-1 features Varjo's proprietary Bionic Display system:
- Central Resolution: Over 60 pixels per degree (3,000+ PPI)
- Maximum PPD: 64 pixels per degree in center
- Peripheral Resolution: 1440 x 1600 per eye
- Result: Human-eye resolution visual fidelity
The Bionic Display uses multiple display elements to create extremely high resolution in the center of vision where visual acuity is most important.
Field of View
The XR-1 offers an 87-degree diagonal field of view with its focus on center clarity rather than wide peripheral vision.
Refresh Rate
- Display Refresh: 90 Hz
- Latency: Ultra-low latency imaging pipeline
Mixed Reality System
Video Pass-Through
Unlike optical see-through AR headsets like Microsoft HoloLens, the XR-1 uses video pass-through:
- Cameras: Dual 12-megapixel front-facing cameras
- Method: Captures real world, composites with virtual content
- Display: Shows combined result on immersive display
This approach enables photorealistic mixed reality in a full field of view.
VR/MR Switching
Users can seamlessly switch between:
- Full VR mode (virtual environment only)
- Mixed reality mode (real + virtual combined)
Eye Tracking
20/20 Eye Tracker
The XR-1 includes Varjo's industrial-grade eye tracking system:
- Accuracy: Sub-degree precision
- Calibration: Fast and accurate
- Applications: Foveated rendering, gaze analysis, research
The eye tracker was described as the most advanced stereo eye tracking technology integrated into any VR/XR headset at its release.[3]
Tracking
The XR-1 uses SteamVR-based 6DoF tracking.
System Requirements
- Graphics: NVIDIA GPU required (AMD not supported)
- Software: SteamVR required regardless of tracking method
- Platform: Windows
Pricing
The XR-1 Developer Edition was positioned as a premium enterprise product:
- Headset: $9,995 USD/EUR
- Annual Service: $1,995 USD/EUR
Professional Applications
The XR-1 targets demanding industrial use cases:
- Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC)
- Automotive design and visualization
- Research and development
- Aerospace and aviation simulation
- Training and simulation
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display Type | Bionic Display (multi-display) |
| Central Resolution | 60+ PPD (3000+ PPI) |
| Peripheral Resolution | 1440 x 1600 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Field of View | 87° |
| Eye Tracking | 20/20 industrial-grade |
| MR Cameras | 2 x 12 megapixel |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR) |
| Price | $9,995 + $1,995/year |
| Target Market | Enterprise/Professional |
Product Line
Varjo has continued developing XR headsets:
See Also
References
- ↑ "Photorealistic mixed reality headset Varjo XR-1 now shipping". Varjo. https://varjo.com/press-release/varjos-xr-1-developer-edition-now-available-and-shipping/.
- ↑ "Varjo XR-1 headset promises new levels of realism for mixed reality". AEC Magazine. https://aecmag.com/news/varjo-xr-1-headset-promises-new-levels-of-realism-for-mixed-reality/.
- ↑ "The 3 best features of the Varjo XR-1". VR Expert. https://vr-expert.com/news/the-3-best-features-of-the-varjo-xr-1/.