Canon, a company known for its hardware products, has announced a new virtual reality (VR) platform called Kokomo at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The platform enables face-to-face communication in a virtual space with live-action video, bringing 3D video calling to life, InterestingEngineering reports
According to Jon Lorentz, one of the co-creators of Kokomo, the platform was created to provide a solution for people to connect while stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Kokomo is a way to enable people to be there when they couldn't," Lorentz told TechCrunch.
Also according to Jon Lorentz, the platform allows users to "engage in immersive calls" in "dynamic, living, breathing environments."
It Only Takes a VR Headset
Canon's new virtual reality (VR) platform, Kokomo, intends to provide customers with a more immersive and dynamic experience than standard video calling choices such as FaceTime or Zoom. The technology enables people to communicate face-to-face in a virtual area with live-action video utilizing simple equipment, such as popular consumer VR headsets.
To use Kokomo, users will need a commercially available VR headset and a compatible smartphone. They can then register on the smartphone application and make an "ImmersiveCall" video call with another user who also has a compatible VR headset and has registered for the Kokomo application.
During the call, users can communicate with each other in a remote location as easily as with traditional calling applications, with the added benefit of a realistic sensation of being face-to-face in a life-size setting while viewing each other's image.
Highly Immersive Visual Experience
The VR headset covers the user's field of vision for an unobstructed, highly immersive visual experience, and the smartphone captures full-body images allowing for communication through gestures and other forms of expression.
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In addition to the video call feature, the Kokomo platform also includes a "Media Player" function that allows users to share photos and videos in a virtual space and view them together on the call. A press release tells us that the platform also offers multiple virtual environments, such as a surf shop and mountain tea house, to enhance the personalized video call experience.
Canon plans to officially debut the Kokomo headset within the next month and add new destinations, functionalities, and features to the Kokomo app. The company also plans to expand compatibility with Canon cameras.
The company is showcasing the platform at CES 2023, taking place from January 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
More from Canon
As reported in a previous Tech Times piece, Canon has also released a sports camera called "C View," which was developed in collaboration with NBA franchises Cavaliers and Nets and allows viewers to experience sporting events in VR.
Canon has also launched Mreal goggles, a lightweight device that allows for augmented reality (AR) interactions. In addition, Canon has partnered with filmmaker M Night Shyamalan to debut his new film, Knock at the Cabin, at CES 2023 using Canon's VR and AR technology.
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