OpenVROpenXR

OpenVROpenXR is an open-source project that provides interoperability between the OpenVR API, used by Valve and SteamVR, and the Khronos Group's OpenXR standard. The project supplies a translation layer and runtime shim that allows applications and engines developed for one API to operate on environments and runtimes that primarily support the other. The goal is to simplify porting of VR software and broaden hardware and software compatibility across ecosystems.

OpenVROpenXR typically includes an API bridge that translates OpenVR calls to OpenXR equivalents and vice versa, input and tracking mapping for controllers, haptic devices, and head-mounted tracking, a rendering backend interface that accommodates OpenXR's swapchain and composition model within an OpenVR context, and cross-platform support spanning Windows and Linux, with ongoing work to improve performance and minimize latency.

The project is organized as an open-source community effort, with development hosted on a public repository and contributor guidelines. It emphasizes non-proprietary, reproducible builds and aims to remain compatible with a broad set of VR headsets that support either API. Limitations include potential feature gaps, fidelity differences, and performance overhead due to translation. Applications built specifically for OpenXR or OpenVR should still validate device support and stability when running through the bridge.

OpenVROpenXR serves as a pragmatic option for researchers, developers, and enthusiasts seeking to extend multi-API compatibility and experiment with cross-ecosystem VR workloads, while acknowledging that it is not a drop-in replacement for native OpenXR runtimes or OpenVR drivers.