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Virtual Reality/Extended Reality (VR/XR) hardware and software company Varjo has released the XR-3 Focal Edition, the company’s newest headset which is designed to provide superior visual quality for mixed reality implementations where real-world objects such as cockpits, car dashboards, cell phones, and kneeboards are used.
Introduced at I/ITSEC 2022, the XR-3 Focal Edition offers high levels of visual precision for advanced use cases where visualizing small text and illustrations on physical instruments in mixed reality is mission-critical.
The XR-3 Focal Edition is designed for interacting with real instruments, gauges, panels, and meters in mixed-reality scenarios where the trainee is fully immersed in computer-generated content yet needs to interact with the physical world immediately adjacent to the viewer.
The headset provides dual high-resolution, 12-megapixel cameras that are calibrated to provide improved image clarity for the range of 30 centimeters to 80 centimeters (12” to 31”) from the headset in comparison to a standard XR-3. Seeing crucial dials and knobs in proper focus with content close to the video sensor requires a closer focusing point. The optimized components in the mixed reality camera system change the distance of the focus so the lens brings a sharper depth of field, closer to the user.
Varjo XR-3 Focal Edition is fully TAA/BAA-compliant (the Trade Agreements Act and the Buy America Act) meaning that at least 50% of its overall manufacture cost originates from the US or designated countries and that the product has undergone substantial transformation in the US or designated countries. TAA compliance is becoming an ever-increasing requirement enabling HMD-based solutions to be used for secure and classified operations.
Sold with a perpetual, offline license that enables operations in non-internet connected environments that does not require users to create accounts, the XR-3 Focal Edition can support the most demanding security needed for the US Department of Defense, intelligence, and security-critical infrastructure customers.
For customers looking for the highest level of security, the XR-3 Focal Edition can be delivered with radio frequency capability removed as required to operate in some classified environments.
“The use of XR-based devices across the training and simulation segment has grown exponentially over the past year, and we’re pleased to be working with the world’s leading simulation and training companies across both civilian and defense sectors,” said Seppo Aaltonen, Chief Commercial Officer of Varjo. “We heard from our customers the need for more precise visuals at a closer distance, specifically when looking at dashboards, cockpits, and cell phones and we responded with the XR-3 Focal Edition to address the need.”
“Our engineering team has noticed a clear difference in the ability to read instruments on the avionics panel thanks to Varjo’s all-new XR-3 Focal Edition,” said Chad Schmitz, Product Manager for Mixed Reality Flight at FlightSafety International. “Our customers have already undergone installations with the XR-3 Focal Edition headsets and test pilots have given positive feedback on the resolution and high fidelity of the device. We can now offer our customers a fully TAA-compliant solution for the most demanding mixed reality training scenarios and deployments.”
Varjo XR-3 Focal Edition is fully software compatible and supports all the same features of the Varjo XR-3. Once purchased, users will have access to continuous software improvements over time.
