Technology

New VR headset allows switching between reality modes

Varjo Technologies, a leader in VR/XR headsets, has developed an innovative 2D/3D immersive user interface allowing users to seamlessly switch between real, virtual and mixed reality modes and modify their creations while experiencing them in 3D.

The Helsinki-based company’s new Dimensional Interface, called Varjo Workspace, allows users to use Microsoft Windows applications and 3D software tools within a human eye resolution VR or AR environment.

No other headset can display readable text on a virtual screen or can mix the virtual and real worlds seamlessly, claims the company.

Professionals in design, engineering and training can work within an immersive VR/XR environment while simultaneously using the full power of existing desktop applications. Through Varjo’s Dimensional Interface, users can both experience and modify their 3D models without removing their headset.

For example, Varjo Workspace can be used in the automotive industry to modify a 3D car model using existing CAD and visualisation tools such as Autodesk VRED, Unity or Unreal while simultaneously observing the model in mixed or virtual reality.

“Varjo Workspace shows how professionals will use and interact with computers in the future. Unlike other immersive computing UIs, Varjo Workspace is not built on ‘hand-waving’ Hollywood UIs with no practical basis in reality, but instead integrates the way we work today using professional 2D applications – all enhanced by the capabilities of Varjo’s XR-1 Developer Edition,” said Urho Konttori, co-founder and chief product officer at Varjo.

Varjo Workspace is now available to customers and partners as part of the software delivered with the XR-1 Developer Edition. The XR-1 Developer Edition headset is available for purchase immediately at €9,995. Varjo plans to implement customer and partner feedback in 2020 to further deepen its integration with professional design, engineering and simulation tools.

Example videos of Varjo Workspace, captured through the XR-1 Developer Edition, are available at vimeo.com/varjo.

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