Varjo Introduces ‘Teleport’ Service to Seamlessly Transform Real Locations into VR

Varjo, known for its top-tier XR headsets, has just unveiled an exciting new service aimed at enterprises: a smartphone-based 3D scanning tool that enables users to craft photorealistic environments swiftly. This innovative service, dubbed Teleport, offers the capability to delve into these immersive spaces via VR or even on flat screens.

Teleport, the app which charges a subscription fee, empowers users to capture and replicate real-world settings in just 5 to 10 minutes. Varjo claims this is significantly quicker than what traditional photogrammetry techniques can achieve. Compatible devices for capturing include a broad range of Apple products, such as the iPhone XR and later models, as well as the 8th generation iPad and subsequent versions, all running iOS 17 or later.

The digital counterparts produced can be accessed on a variety of platforms—be it smartphones, PCs, or using Varjo’s own XR headsets. They’re also viewable with other prominent PC VR headsets. Thanks to cutting-edge technology like Gaussian Splatting and NVIDIA’s GPU-driven generative models, Teleport takes advantage of cloud processing. These 3D models are first processed remotely and then brought to life on your device. You’ll only need an internet connection for downloading, not for enjoying your exploration.

At a price tag of $30 per month, Teleport is being offered with a seven-day free trial period. Those who sign up can view numerous captures for free, both in standard and high-definition through a web viewer. For the highest quality views, Varjo provides access via its desktop client.

The introduction of Teleport comes as Varjo announces an expansion of its Series D funding—a round that now includes new investors like Beyond Capital, Nishikawa Communications, and NVIDIA. Although the exact figures of this funding increase remain undisclosed, Varjo informs Road to VR that their total fundraising has reached about €180 million, or approximately $188 million USD.

This fresh infusion of capital is said to fuel Varjo’s ambition to push the boundaries of XR hardware and software in industrial settings. According to CEO Timo Toikkanen, leveraging AI and machine learning will be key in merging the real and virtual worlds, a strategy intended to boost the productivity and efficiency of its industrial partners.

In contrast, Meta is also venturing into similar territory for consumers with its upcoming Horizon Hyperscape project. Announced in September, this demo highlights Meta’s commitment to photorealism. Eventually, users will have the capability to “build worlds within Horizon by using a phone to scan a room and then recreate it,” although the timeline for this feature’s release remains unclear.