Varjo, the leader in high-performance XR / VR hardware and software, has announced the launch of its next generation of XR / VR headsets: the XR-3 and the VR-3. Both new professional headsets continue Varjo’s “resolution revolution”. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the new features of the XR-3 and the VR-3 and how the headsets stand out from the crowd.
The new features of both the Varjo XR-3 and the VR-3 are:
The highest resolution headset with a 115 ° field of view
This is possible thanks to Varjo’s full-frame Bionic Display with human eye resolution (with more than 70 pixels per degree). The resolution of the XR-3 and VR-3 amounts to 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye for the focus display, combined with 2880 x 2720 pixels per eye for the context display. Compared to the XR1, which combines a central 1,920 x 1,080 pixels per eye focus display with a larger context display of 1440 x 1,600 pixels per eye, this is a significant improvement.
The world’s fastest and most accurate eye tracking
The XR-3 and VR-3 have the world’s fastest and most accurate eye tracking (200 Hz) integrated into the XR / VR headsets. The eye tracking now uses ” foveated rendering ”. Foveated rendering is a technique that reduces the workload of the headset by means of an eye tracker. It does this by significantly reducing the image quality outside our peripheral vision (the view that our eyes are looking directly at). As a result, the image being viewed will always be razor-sharp, but (just like in real life) the edges around it will be a bit blurrier. Both devices also feature integrated Ultraleap hand tracking for natural interactions.
Read more about how eye tracking works in Varjo headsets.
Improved comfort and usability
With a 3-point precision fitting headband, the XR-3 and VR-3 provide an even more comfortable yet secure fit that is suitable for any head type. The weight of the headsets is also up to 40% lighter compared to predecessors. In addition, there is a built in active cooling system that ensures that the lenses do not fog up. The wider design of the new headsets make it easier for users with glasses to easily wear the headset, while also helping reduce eye strain and simulator sickness.
Complete software compatibility
With the launch of the XR-3 and VR-3, Varjo wants to further expand its software compatibility. Currently both headsets have full software compatibility with Unity ™, Unreal Engine ™, OpenXR 1.0 (early 2021) and hundreds of industrial 3D engines and applications. This is including Autodesk VRED ™, Lockheed Martin Prepar3d ™, VBS BlueIG ™ and FlightSafety Vital ™.
See the full overview of software platforms and engines compatible with the Varjo devices.
Price
Varjo has tried to make the headsets more accessible within the industry in the development of the VR-3 and the XR-3 and this is reflected in the price. The Varjo XR-3 and VR-3 are nearly half the price of the previous generation XR-1 and VR-2.
XR-1 | VR-2 | VR-3 | XR-3 |
11.990, – | 5.790, – | 3.990, – | 6.990, – |
There are also a number of new features in the XR-3 (these are not available in the VR-3). The main features specific to the XR-3 are:
LiDAR and stereo RGB video pass-through
Compared to the XR-1, which uses an active infrared sensor system. The XR-3 now uses technology called LiDAR and stereo RGB. These systems ensure that the Varjo XR-3 is the only device where virtual objects actually look realistic rather than appearing as holographic augmentations. The system also allows for depth awareness for real-time occlusion and 3D reconstructions. This creates a seamless merging of the real and the virtual world. It also provides one of the largest fields of view compared to optical transparent devices like the Microsoft HoloLens 2. Finally, the XR-3 is able to collect real-time data and add shadows and reflections to (virtual) objects in real time.
Do you have any other questions about the new features of the Varjo XR-3 and VR-3 headsets?
Then contact one of our sales employees. They will be happy to help you or schedule a demo with you.