Varjo Unveils ‘Teleport’ Service to Seamlessly Convert Real Locations into VR

Varjo, a renowned name in the realm of high-end XR headsets, has just unveiled an innovative 3D scanning service designed for enterprises. This new venture, accessible via smartphone, enables users to quickly create photorealistic environments, offering the flexibility to explore these in both VR and on traditional screens.

Dubbed “Teleport,” this app introduces a new level of convenience in capturing and reconstructing real-world locations. According to the Finnish company, the process takes a mere 5 to 10 minutes—significantly outpacing the speed of typical photogrammetry techniques.

To use Teleport, you’ll need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later, which thankfully covers a wide range of devices, from the iPhone XR to the latest tablets like Apple’s 8th generation iPad and beyond.

Once you’ve created these “digital twins,” they can be accessed on various platforms such as phones and PCs, or you can dive into them using Varjo’s XR headsets or other leading PC VR headsets.

Teleport’s models are enhanced by cutting-edge Gaussian Splatting technology and advanced NVIDIA GPU-trained generative models. They are processed in the cloud and then bring your device’s screen to life. Initially, an internet connection is required to download the model, but exploration doesn’t necessitate being online.

For those interested in this service, it’s priced at $30 per month, but a 7-day free trial is available if you’d like to test the waters. Upon signing up, users can freely explore various captures in both standard and high-definition through its web viewer, not to mention access the top-tier quality captures using its desktop client.

Teleport’s introduction coincides with Varjo’s expansion of their Series D funding round. They’ve roped in fresh investors like Beyond Capital, Nishikawa Communications, and NVIDIA. While the exact figures of their latest fundraising remain under wraps, Varjo has shared with Road to VR that they’ve amassed approximately €180 million ($188 million USD) in total funding over their lifetime.

This financial boost is set to propel Varjo’s mission to expand the reach of their XR hardware and software solutions, particularly within industrial sectors. CEO Timo Toikkanen emphasized that AI and machine learning will be pivotal as Varjo aims to seamlessly blend real and virtual settings, ultimately boosting efficiency and productivity for their industrial clientele.

In the meantime, Meta is also stepping into similar territory with a consumer-focused initiative unveiled last September, known as Horizon Hyperscape. It debuted as a demo illustrating Meta’s aspirations for photorealism. Meta envisions a future where creators can simply scan a room with their phone, recreating it within Horizon. However, a specific launch date for this service is still under wraps.