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Varjo ’20/20′ VR headset to offer ‘human eye resolution’ bionic display

20 Jun

Comparison image (shot with a Sony RX100 IV) viewed through Varjo’s ‘bionic’ display (above) and an Oculus headset. Image courtesy Varjo

Poor display resolution is one of the hurdles VR needs to overcome if it’s going to gain traction with a larger audience. That’s why Finnish company Varjo is actively developing a virtual reality/augmented reality headset codenamed ’20/20,’ a moniker that refers to its ‘human eye resolution’ display. While the Oculus Rift offers approximately 1.2MP for each eye, Varjo aims to far exceed that resolution at 70MP, though with a twist: the ’20/20′ headset tracks which objects the wearer is looking at, rendering those objects at a very high resolution while objects in the wearer’s peripheral vision are lower resolution.

Varjo hasn’t gone into great detail about the technology behind its headset, though Engadget reports that it is using what the company calls a ‘bionic display’ alongside ‘foveated eye tracking,’ the combination of which makes its VR ’10 years ahead of the current state-of-the-art.’ The company claims to employ scientists who previously worked at Intel, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, among others.

The company goes on to claim that its ’20/20′ headset can also be used for augmented reality and mixed reality applications, though details on both are slight at this time. Likewise, information on Varjo’s launch plans are unclear, though the company states that pro-tier ‘Varjo-branded products’ will start shipping in the fourth quarter of this year. Varjo offers several photos comparing its display technology with that of existing VR headsets here.

Via: Engadget, Varjo

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Lego Limb: Bionic Arm for Kids Makes Prosthetics Playful

15 Aug

[ By Steph in Gadgets & Geekery & Technology. ]

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This modular twist-and-lock prosthetic arm for kids is designed specifically for integration with LEGO parts, turning it into a fun toy that makes it easier to engage with other children. A standard gripper makes the ‘Iko’ by Carlos Arturo Torres Tovar practical and functional for everyday use, but it can easily be popped off and replaced with designs of the kids’ own making.

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This creative prosthetic system lets children with disabilities use their imaginations to build tools that fit their own needs. The basic system includes a custom-fit prosthetic socket and forearm with a motorized adapter, a removable gripper and an easy-to-use charging station. Kids can swap out the gripper for backhoes and other LEGO creations. The arm can be programmed for various purposes and functions using myoelectric sensors.

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Tovar came up with the idea while working at LEGO Future Lab, realizing that play is such an essential part of childhood and that a fun prosthetic could make it easier for children to engage with each other without discomfort.

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“Currently I consider that prosthesis are not really designed for kids, yes they are functional in a traditional way, but kids in disability need more than a traditional tool, the physical aspect is just one of the big challenges of growing up, the psychological and the social aspect are as equally important and I wanted to do something about it.”