"Limitless is more," so says Canon amid its CES 2023 media day presentation. Removing limits on both communication and perspective is a hallmark for the brand as it no sooner focuses on a heavy investment into VR.
The heart of this newfound investment in Kokomo, the brand's new VR headset that sets itself far apart from alternative products through the Canon ecosystem. Kokomo boasts, as Canon avidly promotes, limitless communication through immersive video calling that strips the experience of major barriers. All that is needed is Canon's Kokomo headset and a mobile device. Kokomo also leverages exclusive environments, like a surf shop and mountain tea house, so that such video calling can be even more personalized.
Kokomo will have additional features, like immersive films, sporting experiences, and much more. Canon announced that the Kokomo headset would be debuting officially within the next month.
Free Viewpoint is how Canon will bring major sporting events into the digital realm. The firm cites this as a technology built primarily for limitless perspective, allowing users to be in on the sporting action like never before. The company has partnered with the NBA's Cavilers and Nets to gamify basketball viewership. The Cavs have specifically named it the "C View," a sports camera built entirely for VR.
While interesting, it hinges on a consumer base that would rather experience sporting events in a headset over contemporary viewing on a TV. It'll be hard to sell to those of the older generation that aren't willing to adapt to newer technologies. Canon made emphasis the younger generation as being a major selling point so that it may pan out well.
Canon also introduced its Mreal goggles, a premium visualizer that lets users see the world around them from a whole new perspective. It's being billed as a route for limitless imagination, giving its users access to AR interactions unlike never before. It's one of the lightest headsets on the market and can fit right in a user's pocket.
Thus, with all of these XR-leaning platforms, Canon is making a name for itself specifically for VR applications. To help broaden that scope, Canon President Kazuto Ogawa brought out horror director M Night Shyamalan who utilized Canon tech to make his latest film, Knock at the Cabin. At CES 2023, attendees can experience the upcoming film from a new perspective through the company's Kokomo and Mreal headsets.
Canon also highlighted its AMLOS camera, which premiered at last year's CES. This year, it's taking home the CES 2023 Innovation award for its brilliance in collaborative concepts. AMLOS stands for Activate My Line or Sight, a device intended to allow consumers more ways of working together without being in person.
It's clear that Canon is taking its imagery and photography know-how to the next stage, the VR digital realm, and it will be interesting to see how the firm tackles this ever-advancing form of technology.
