Academic Studies Utilizing Varjo Devices: Access the List Free-of-Charge

At the forefront of this innovation, scientists and academics across disciplines are choosing Varjo headsets to power their most ambitious work. With industry-leading visual fidelity and built-in eye-tracking, Varjo enables researchers to capture deep, reliable insights into user behavior and perception in real time.

In support of this growing body of work, we’ve created a free, downloadable compilation of VR research papers utilizing Varjo headsets. This curated collection of 60+ papers highlights how leading institutions are applying Varjo’s technology to tackle complex challenges in fields like medical training, flight simulation, neuroscience, human-computer interaction, and more. Whether you’re a student, researcher, educator, or a developer, this list offers valuable insights into the real-world applications and impact of virtual and mixed reality.

Want a glimpse of what’s inside? Keep reading to learn about five standout papers from the compilation.

Access the Research Compilation

1. Testing and Validation of Innovative Extended Reality Technologies for Astronaut Training

Published in: 75th International Astronautical Congress
Authors: Florian Saling et al.
Headset: Varjo XR-3

Extended Reality (XR) is becoming an important tool to train astronauts for spacewalks (EVAs), test equipment, and evaluate spacecraft designs. With space agencies’ renewed focus on returning to the Moon, XR is especially valuable for simulating its unique conditions, like low gravity and harsh lighting, that affect how astronauts move and operate.

To advance XR’s role in space training, experts at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Germany ran experiments during parabolic flights that mimic lunar gravity. These tests assessed how commercial and custom XR headsets perform in low gravity and how astronauts might move and carry objects during Moon missions.

This research not only explores how XR can improve astronaut training but also provides guidance for future space programs aiming to integrate immersive tech into mission prep and extended space operations.

2. A System for XR Holographic Overlays of Real-Time Rendered 3D-Reconstructed Imaging Using a Video Passthrough HMD—A Pathway to Future Navigation in Chest Wall Surgery

Published in: Latest Advances in Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Jan Arensmeyer et al.
Headset: Varjo XR-3

High-resolution 3D imaging is becoming an important tool for planning thoracic surgeries, especially minimally invasive or robotic procedures. With new video pass-through mixed-reality headsets, surgeons can now project holographic images directly onto the patient’s body.

Using a high-performance workstation and the Varjo headset, CT scan data was volume-rendered in real time and customized through live editing. The resulting holograms were aligned with the patient to highlight key areas for surgery. The team tested this setup on three cancer cases – two with large tumors and one with a chest wall lesion. The holograms helped visualize the exact position of internal structures in relation to the patient’s body.

This real-time holographic approach shows strong potential to improve surgical planning in complex thoracic cases. As XR hardware and software continue to advance, the study suggests these tools may become more widely used in surgery.

3. Immersive Visualization Exploration of Crew Station Design for Acquisition Programs

Published in: SAE Technical Paper Series
Authors: Rachel S. Agusti et al.
Headset: Varjo XR-3

Designing physical Crew Stations is often costly and time-consuming due to fabrication needs and hardware reconfiguration. To streamline the process, the Ground Vehicle System Center has developed a VR-based solution that allows crews to customize touchscreen and switch panel layouts, then simulate vehicle operations in realistic virtual missions – including day/night conditions and sensor effects like infrared and night vision.

Using hand tracking, operators can interact with virtual components to assess reach and usability. This approach supports faster, more affordable testing and optimization, making it a valuable tool for defense acquisition and system design.

4. Perceiving Absolute Distance in Augmented Reality Displays with Realistic and Non-Realistic Shadows

Published in: ACM Symposium on Applied Perception (SAP 2023)
Authors: Bobby Bodenheimer et al.
Headset: Varjo XR-3

While distance perception in Augmented Reality (AR) has been studied for years, less is known about how people judge distance using today’s advanced AR headsets. This study compares two types of AR displays—optical see-through (OST) like the HoloLens 2, and video see-through (VST) like the Varjo XR-3—to see how they affect distance perception.

Participants viewed virtual objects placed 3–6 meters away and judged their distance using two shadow types: realistic cast shadows and simple ring-shaped shadows. The experiment was conducted in a real-world classroom setting. The findings suggest that non-realistic shadows may be a good option for providing additional shading cues for depth in AR.

5. Review of VR Technical Specification Requirements for a Procedural Training Task

Published in: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Authors: Stephanie G. Fussell
Headset: Varjo XR-3

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) Warfighter Interactions and Readiness Division is leading efforts to modernize training by integrating virtual reality (VR) into its Distributed Mission Operations – Live, Virtual, and Constructive (DMO LVC) framework. This approach combines real-world exercises with computer-generated environments, allowing airmen to train in more flexible, immersive, and realistic ways without the high costs and logistics of live operations.

As part of this initiative, the division conducted a pilot study to evaluate the usability of various head-mounted displays. The goal was to understand how different VR headsets perform in a training context and how comfortable, intuitive, and effective they are for users during simulated missions.

The findings from this pilot test offer insights into headset usability and also suggest broader implications for training effectiveness and efficiency. The report outlines these considerations and provides recommendations for selecting and deploying VR headsets in future USAF training programs.

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