Finnish company Varjo, known for its advanced VR and XR technologies, launches a dedicated tool for creating reconstructions in VR - Varjo Teleport 2.0
Varjo Teleport 2.0, a tool that allows the creation of photorealistic 3D models of real spaces, has reached a new level of quality, becoming a leader in its category. With this solution, schools, educational institutions or companies can easily transfer the physical environment to virtual reality, opening up new possibilities in teaching and training.
The process of creating digital twins with Varjo Teleport 2.0 is simple and intuitive. All you need is a smartphone - in the new version, the app supports not only iPhones, but also other devices such as DSLR cameras and drones, which significantly expands its accessibility.
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The user walks around the selected area for 5-10 minutes, capturing the environment, and then the data is processed in the cloud for 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the size of the scanned area. The result is a 3D model of unprecedented detail, with faithfully rendered lighting, textures and reflections, which sets Varjo apart from competitors such as the free Scaniverse platform from Niantic, which processes scans locally but with less precision.
5 free scans, but no possibility to export data in PLY without paying
Varjo Teleport 2.0 offers flexible subscription plans to suit different needs. The basic free plan allows for 5 scans per month, but without the ability to export data in PLY format. The paid plan, priced at $30 per month, allows 15 scans to be taken and models to be exported to programs such as Unity or Unreal, which is particularly useful for developers of educational applications.
For larger institutions, Varjo offers customised plans that can be tailored after contacting the company. Models can be viewed in a variety of ways - in an iPhone app, in a web browser or in full VR on PCs with OpenXR-compatible headsets such as Meta Quest. It is worth noting, however, that for smooth display of larger scenes, the company recommends a minimum RTX 3070 graphics card, or even an RTX 3090 for more demanding projects.
In the context of education, Varjo Teleport 2.0 opens up exciting possibilities. Teachers can create virtual tours of historical sites, such as Krakow's Wawel Castle, or recreate science laboratories where students can safely perform chemistry experiments. Based on the Gaussian Splatting method and supported by advanced machine learning, the technology achieves quality comparable to traditional photogrammetry, but without its time-consuming limitations.
Although Varjo plans to develop applications for standalone devices such as Quest 3, the current hardware requirements can be a challenge for smaller educational institutions. Nevertheless, Teleport 2.0 is a step towards a more accessible and immersive educational experience that could revolutionise the way we learn and explore the world.
