Varjo’s latest mixed-reality headset offers advanced features and aims to cater to the needs of large enterprise firms.
Finnish mixed-reality startup Varjo has unveiled its latest headset, the XR-4, with a focus on selling to large enterprise companies. Priced at $3,990, the XR-4 is set to compete with similar offerings from tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Apple. As virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) gain momentum, companies are increasingly investing in this space, envisioning it as the next major technological shift akin to the invention of the internet or the mobile phone.
Unleashing the Potential of Enterprise Use Cases:
Unlike consumer-oriented headsets, Varjo’s XR-4 is designed specifically for enterprise use cases. For instance, a pilot working for a defense contractor can utilize the headset for virtual reality training simulations. Similarly, a surveyor can leverage the XR-4 to map out the landscape of a construction site. The XR-4 boasts two 4K displays, a 50% wider field of view compared to previous models, brighter displays, and a wider color palette.
Technical Advancements and Enhanced Features:
Varjo’s Chief Product Officer, Patrick Wyatt, highlighted the technical improvements in the XR-4. The headset features one screen per eye, maximizing the resolution of each screen and reducing costs. The XR-4 also incorporates two 20-megapixel cameras on the front, enabling pass-through mixed reality. This feature allows users to see the real world through embedded lenses in the headset, facilitating the overlay of digital objects onto the physical environment. The XR-4 is equipped with ambient light sensors, improved Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) technology, and built-in 3D spatial audio. It also includes noise-canceling microphones, integrated speakers, inside-out tracking, and Varjo’s own controllers for seamless navigation.
The Growing Landscape of Mixed-Reality Headsets:
Earlier this year, tech giants Apple and Meta announced their own mixed-reality headsets. Meta launched the Quest 3 in June, while Apple’s Vision Pro headset, expected to be priced at $3,500, is slated for release next year. Varjo has secured over $160 million in funding from investors such as Apple supplier Foxconn, private equity firm EQT, automaker Volvo, and venture capital firm Atomico.
Conclusion:
Varjo’s XR-4 headset represents the company’s foray into the enterprise market, offering advanced features and catering to the specific needs of large companies. With its high-resolution displays, wider field of view, and pass-through mixed reality capabilities, the XR-4 aims to provide immersive experiences for professionals in various industries. As the VR/AR market continues to evolve, the competition among tech giants intensifies, promising exciting advancements and applications in the near future.
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