Working from home has become the new standard for many people, but the general rules remain the same: keyboard, mouse, one or two screens, internet connection. However, the folks at SimulaVR have another idea: virtual reality, adapted to the office. Their project is split into two parts: on one side, the Simula One headset that works as a standalone unit, and on the other, SimulaOS, a special distro that runs Linux apps in virtual reality.
Talking about virtual reality automatically makes us think of video games. After all, the main solutions on the market point straight at entertainment, and with the promise of titles like Half-Life: Alyx (the best thing done in virtual reality to date, without a doubt), there aren't many reasons to imagine another use for that technology. However, virtual reality doesn't have to be limited to games. A good environment paired with the right tools can make all the difference in the world, and that's where SimulaVR steps in with two projects: Simula One and SimulaOS. What's the goal? Linux in virtual reality, or rather, reinventing the virtual office with the help of Linux and a standalone headset.
Simula One and SimulaOS: Linux in virtual reality to work, program, and more
Their official page makes it clear from the start: the priority is not games, but the office. One of the most interesting aspects of Simula One is that it doesn't need to be connected to a computer. Ten times more screens than a traditional setup, hand tracking with six degrees of freedom (through Ultraleap), environment visualization with its integrated camera (basically, to see the keyboard), and Bluetooth device connection define its basic characteristics.
SimulaOS is the operating system for the Simula One. Its VR window manager uses the Godot graphics engine, also used in the Deponia ports for iOS and PlayStation 4 (and other games). One of the most frequent weak points of virtual reality is its font rendering, but with the help of a special filter, SimulaOS can noticeably improve text quality. Add to that its compatibility with any application that runs on a Linux desktop. From LibreOffice and Firefox to Emacs and Vim, SimulaOS should be able to execute and render their content without issues.
https://old.neoteo.com/virtual-io-i-glasses-realidad-virtual-en-1995/The project is definitely a work in progress. In fact, the only available code dates back to 2018, with version 0.1 alpha. That means there are no ISO images, and anyone interested in evaluating this technology will have to compile it on their own, in addition to using an HTC Vive or a Valve Index connected to their Linux machine. Are we ready for a virtual office? Can the concept of productivity adopt virtual reality? Those behind SimulaOS believe so, but feel free to leave a comment below.
Official site: Click here.
