Varjo Technologies, a major manufacturer of industrial-grade mixed reality (MR) headsets, announced on Thursday the launch of a virtual reality (VR) device for consumer and enterprise markets.
The Finnish tech firm opened orders for the Aero, a headset designed for flight simulator fans and trainees, which will cost $1,990 without SteamVR base stations or controllers.
The headset itself will also require a minimum four-core processor and NVIDIA GeForce 2080, 3070, or A4000 and QuadroRTX 5000.
Designed for professionals. Now available for all.
Meet the new Varjo Aero: https://t.co/WnIDfSRB8j
Get the first look at our new #VR headset and Teleport VR software in today’s launch event. Register here: https://t.co/gKMJPty3Fe pic.twitter.com/PqxpGQn3rm— Varjo (@varjodotcom) October 21, 2021
Varjo’s new head-mounted display provides a resolution of 2,880 x 2,720 pixels per eye, or 35 pixels per depth (ppd), a brightness of 150 nits, a massive 115-degree field of view (FoV), and 90Hz refresh rate.
The device also uses aspheric lenses with a variable resolution for optimal clarity for visuals compared to Fresnel lenses commonly used in consumer-level headsets.
The Aero also allows lenses to adjust with automatic interpupilary distance (IPD), or the distance between pupils, after putting the headset on and offers eye tracking rates at a rapid 200 Hz.
Its ergonomics also freature a 3-point precision fit headband and active cooling for extended use.
Varjo’s new product also weighs only 717 grammes, or considerably less than previous headsets such as the VR-3 and XR-3, and includes multiple buttons for basic commands and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Lower weight for the device is due to the lack of front-facing cameras commonly used for hand-tracking and MR features, allowing the headset to focus on specific simulator tasks. The Varjo Aero will also provide free support software without a subscription.
Varjo Aero and VRM Switzerland Collaboration
According to the Helsinki-based firm, the Aero headset had been tested extensively by VRM Switzerland, a professional flight training centre in Dübendorf in an early access trial.
The test run led to the Aero receiving certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for professional pilot training to earn full flight training hours.
Fabi Riesen, Chief Executive of VRM Switzerland, said in an interview,
“With the Varjo Aero and our solution combined, we have been able to meet all those hundreds of requirements to get the EASA qualification”
He added that with the Varjo Aero, he could “see more than he could see in real life,” citing the device’s capability to boost pilot readiness and efficacy with its innovative tools.
The news comes after the Finnish firm inked a huge partnership with Chinese tech giant Lenovo to sell VR-3 and XR-3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It also launched its Reality Cloud solution for the XR-3 in June, which will work with Varjo’s Teleport feature for the Aero and allow users to interact with immersive digital twins to share as a virtual space.
For more information on the Aero, kindly visit Varjo’s product website.
