Xenium‘s latest AR app Close up with Stars was delivered in quick time for Dharma production’s movie “Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani” in association with Mindshare , OMD and Hindustan Unilever. Closeup, India’s Market leader in gel toothpaste segment for over three decades, is collaborating as the partner of Dharma Production’s upcoming Bollywood movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Closeup has launched a limited edition of a toothpaste pack. Each pack includes a Closeup friendship band autographed by Ranbir Kapoor & Deepika Padukone. Due to our Indian Metaio-colleague, Sudhanshu Kapoor, they are both “currently the biggest heart-throbs in India”!
Sudhanshu Kapoor, Business Development Manager OEMs at metaio, with Naina in the perfect CloseUp moment!
The occasion witnessed the launch of a Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – centric Closeup TV commercial introducing the special Closeup packs with autographed friendship bands. In addition, with a live demo, the lead pair of the movie – Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone also announced the launch of a unique ‘closeup with stars’ augmented reality application, now available on Google play store and soon for iOS. The stars also publicized an online event on May 28, wherein they would host an exclusive webchat on http://www.facebook.com/closeupindia
Get up close with Badtameez Bunny and Nerdy Naina in a whole new way! Customers could watch the stars of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD) rock to Badtameez Dil on the special new CloseUp pack. All people have to do is download the CloseUp With Stars app on your phone and scan the crazy duo’s pic on the pack. And voilá, the pic comes alive on the phone. What’s more is that you can enjoy exclusive access to music and videos from the movie and even get a pic clicked with Ranbir and Deepika!
Xenium provides comprehensive solutions for Mobile AR app. For this special case, the programming team used the most advanced AR software tools from Metaioand the design team optimized the video and animation content create this very special AR experience. N. Md. Parveez, CEO of Xenium, says: “After overcoming all challenges and successfully launching the Close up with Stars-App, new doors of opportunities are opened for Video AR technology on mobile devices.”
Metaio and Junaio partner Concepteers GmbH has released yet another very cool project. This time, they worked with Toshiba Germany to place Toshiba products directly into the mobile user’s living room using augmented reality. Or office, or car, or basically anywhere you could use a phone!
The Toshiba Digital Living Room app works together with Toshiba’s Product Catalog to allow mobile users in the DACH region to visualize reduced-scale products like L4, M6, L7, M8 and M9 Televisons or the Qosmio X870, Satellite P870 and Satellite U920t notebooks.
Michael Mathieu, Managing Director of Concepteers, says: “We went with Metaio as the AR provider since it is widespread and offers an advanced AR feature set that allows us to develop the best possible AR experience for our customers.”
Concepteers is a valued partner of Metaio, and continues to deliver amazing augmented reality projects with our technology. Check them out on Facebook or visit their website to learn more about the company and the projects they release.
The app is available today for both Google Play and iOS devices. You can visit Toshiba’s website to learn more about the augmented reality app at http://toshiba.de/ar or just scan this convenient QR code with your device (hopefully using Junaio!) to be directed automatically to the experience.
Since we announced the release a few weeks ago, we’ve been ranting and raving about how amazing it is from the magical fountains of Barcelona at Mobile World Congress to the foggy and hilly streets of San Francisco at the Game Developers Conference (turns out SF and Barcelona are sister cities. Who knew?!).
Less than six months ago we set out with the mission of becoming the leading Augmented Reality platform for mobile developers, and this latest release marks the continuation of providing the most advanced, most convenient and most cost-effective solutions for mobile developers to create rich, robust mobile AR applications.
This is not your average, everyday 2-D image and surface recognition. We’ve been doing that for years. And thanks to a kick-ass R&D team and our patented Gravity Aligned Feature Descriptors (GAFD), we now do it better than almost anyone else. In addition, we now offer complete 3-D object tracking and recognition. That’s right- the ability to overlay entire complex real-world objects with digital and 3-D information. Other AR softwares may promise “3-D Object Tracking”, but 2-D image recognition and tracking on a single surface of a 3-D object (like a box) is still just 2-D. Trust me. We know what we’re talking about.
We called our first foray into this kind of technology the “Augmented City”; we’ve since expanded that idea into an entire platform that will empower and enable the next-generation of user interfaces. The best part? It comes at essentially no charge. Develop and deploy unlimited Android and iOS apps without the hassle of server encryption; import your own content management system; recognize and track ID Markers, images, 2-D surfaces and real-world 3-D objects; take advantage of our existing, powerful 3-D rendering engine and- oh, did I mention we’re compatible with Unity? Yep. You can now develop games that allow your users to interact in real-time with the real world. Pretty cool, right?
Apps developed with our software get deployed with a brief metaio splash screen during startup and an almost imperceptible “powered by metaio” watermark in the camera view. Does this cause you to lose sleep at night? Then grab a Custom Branding Option and go crazy. And if you want to be part of a growing industry in dire need of more creatively-driven content and full of business opportunities, contact us to enroll in our Certified Developer program. Fans of metaio will recall that we have a very similar (and very successful) program for junaio Developers; all you have to do is demonstrate your prowess and competence with the technology and we’ll add you to our network of trusted partners where we’ll provide support and (most importantly) business opportunities. We just welcomed our first Mobile SDK Certified Developer yesterday, and look what they’ve already accomplished with our software.
For 10 years, we’ve been devoted exclusively to computer-vision technology- whether it was mobile, web, offline, or customized industrial installations.
This is metaio, The Augmented Reality Company. And we’re making the digital a more natural experience every day.
Ever since we released the no-charge version of the metaio Mobile SDK in December, we’ve been searching for tech-savvy and creatively driven individuals and organizations that would get as excited as we do about vision-based mobile technology. Turns out no one actually gets as excited about computer-vision as we do, but there are certainly those who come close. Enter Harmony, a UK-based marketing agency who we are proud to announce is our first mobile software Certified Developer.
Founded in 1995, Harmony is an agency known for in-house design and development and expert web and app integration of marketing campaigns for a wide range of clients:
Harmony are a well-established creative agency based north of London, UK and develop clever web based solutions for a wide range of national and international clients. We have a diverse set of in-house skills from 3D and concept design work to database and Java programming which allow us to innovate and produce effective, novel and inspiring campaigns. The agency core has always been based on strong marketing principles and the blending of commercial requirements with technological developments.
Harmony has since put their development skills to the test (and to the proof) in using metaio’s mobile software to develop Onvert, a free mobile application for iOS and Android that combines the speed of QR code reading with the visual awe of Augmented Reality experiences.
2 years ago, we experimented with Augmented Reality concepts as part of our exploration of technologies but it was only when we looked at the combination of AR, QR Codes and parallax 3D that we came up with the model of Onvert. As designers ourselves, we wanted to make AR as accessible, powerful and inspiring as possible so that it is an extension of creativity rather than a boundary. Onvert is a combination of a custom web portal and a freely distributed app and allows designers to overlay virtual content (with or without sound) on any trigger image of choice. The QR codes can be read by any standard QR reader and, conversely, the Onvert viewer can interpret standard QR codes to guide users to the clients website. The Onvert app, however, can project the designers 3D content.
We assessed several options to achieve the high level of functionality required of the system but it became obvious that the Metaio Mobile SDK was the only real solution for us. With the assistance of the excellent technical department we were able to co-ordinate the development of the app to fit the new release in January 2012 to some amazingly positive feedback. We are now working on the next full release which will include enhanced content and increased object recognition making the most of the latest metaio Mobile SDK to expand the user experience even further.
We’re thrilled that Harmony has taken our SDK out for a spin and come back with such a great app. This is a great example of how developers, organizations, and even existing enterprises can utilize the stellartools metaio has provided to create entire business models. Check out the links above and learn more about how Harmony has taken some of the most advanced computer-vision software and built a great application on top of it.
Are you interested in developing the next-generation of mobile Augmented Reality applications? Contact us and try out for our Certified Developer program- and who knows….maybe you’re next!
Back in September, CEO Dr. Thomas Alt announced that we’d be releasing a free version of the metaio Mobile Software Development Kit (SDK) in an effort to both ensure and encourage the massive development and adoption of mobile augmented reality by 2014.
In that time, we researched and developed like crazy to make sure that our software would be the most advanced mobile solution available. We implemented Gravity Aware Feature Descriptors, a patented technology that makes image recognition and tracking faster and more robust. We benchmarked our technology by winning the 2011 ISMAR Tracking Competition. We integrated Unity3D for hardcore game developers and designers. And most importantly, we embarked on collaborative research partnerships with chipset providers like ARM, ST-Ericcson, and Texas Instruments. It’s been a busy fall.
As a result, we have for the entire mobile development community a powerful, advanced and industry-proven SDK, free of cost right from the start, with unlimited app-deployments for iOS and Android. A built-in advanced 3D rendering engine means you can start developing immediately. And it’s not a watered-down piece of shareware- this 3D rendering engine has been used in over 70 professional mobile apps, including our Augmented City demo.
Mobile devices are evidently the warmest place to hide.
metaio had the opportunity to develop this very cool mobile application with Universal Pictures to promote the highly-anticipated prequel to the 1982 John Carpenter cult-classic of the same name, out in theaters October 14th. We wanted to create a game that drew on the same suspense, horror, and isolation of the film while generating excitement for its release.
After downloading and launching the free THE THING: Flamethrower application for Android or iOS, players assume the role of one of the surviving Antarctic scientists, trapped in a virtual laboratory and assailed from all sides by creepy alien hybrid versions of their former colleagues.
Sounds like fun, right?
We really mean all sides, because this game is played in 360 degrees- players will have to move their mobile device in real life to defend themselves from the attacking aliens. FYI- it’s dark, the lighting quality is very poor, and you only have a limited amount of flamethrower fuel.
Try to hold out as long as you can, but as fans and people familiar with the film know- it’s very difficult to survive THE THING.
After playing, check out the INFECT YOURSELF feature that uses our advanced Facial Recognition AR capability. Watch as THE THING literally rips your face apart. Even Danika of @twitt_AR fame succumbed to the crafty invasive life form:
This game utilized metaio’s advanced Mobile SDK, the most comprehensive solution to create Augmented Reality applications for iOS and Android. Featuring a high-level API and the latest image recognition technologies, it allows developers to produce high-quality applications with low effort. And best of all: we’re releasing a free version in the near future.
Once again- the film hits theaters this Friday, October 14, so get out to your local cinema and happily cringe to this great horror thriller that more than does justice to the 1982 film.
For more info, check out the press release and don’t forget to download this amazing game.
Hopefully by now you’ve all seen the teaser video and read about the very, very cool announcements we made at insideAR this year. I honestly wish that I could adequately describe insideAR. Maybe it’s because I helped assemble and move 15-20 very heavy table. Maybe watching these camera arrays and industrial prototyping demos come to life, piece by piece gives one more of an appreciation in seeing the finished product. Maybe it was just my first time in Germany, combined with the anticipation of Oktoberfest in Bavaria, combined with the excitement of meeting all of the people with whom I’ve only ever communicated via Skype or telephone or email. Luckily, we don’t have to rely on my floundering attempts at description- we have videos!
This is the first clip of many that we plan to roll out over the coming days and weeks, demonstrating the current and future technologies under the hood (sometimes literally) of metaio.
insideAR was divided into various exhibition segments- one of these was called “Augmented Living”, where we demonstrated some of the potential uses of AR in the household, including the new junaio 3.0 SCAN release that allows the user to get pricing and ingredient information from grocery item barcodes. In that same area, we were also showing our Bosch 3D studio app for iPad that allows people to practically redesign their kitchens with new appliances- without ever leaving their homes.
Many attendees played around with the Around Me Geo Trivia junaio game is a very creative example of how gaming, education and mobile AR can work together to shape an engaging user experience. Sensor fusion takes elements that we tend to take for granted — orientation, geographical relative position, radial distance — and translates them into usable information- in this case, a very fun trivia game.
Our company was built on out-of-the-box industrial solutions, so it should be no surprise to see those prototyping examples in the above video. The sub-millimeter tracking with a guided camera-arm would allow any manufacturer the highest digital scrutiny in examining a prototype on the factory floor; and with the “window-to-the-world”-type 3D mapping you can overlay the original wireframe to the real-word object itself, regardless of its size. With this kind of technology, metaio is naturally bridging the industrial gap between the digital creation and the physical construction of a given product.
Really cool stuff we’re talking about here. Really cool.
Once again, we’re going to be rolling out all sorts of video in the near future, so be sure to either subscribe to this blog or to our YouTube channel (or both!) in order to stay posted.
If you haven’t heard from TechCrunch, Dexigner, or Augmented.org, this year’s insideAR brought some very significant developments for metaio. To sum it up, we made three important announcements to over 450(!) attendees:
The release a free version of the Mobile SDK, soon to be integrated with a game engine
The release of an AR-publishing tool, junaio Creator, to enable virtually anybody to create AR content for junaio
Strategic partnerships with the leading chipset IP supplier ARM and mobile platform developer ST-Ericsson on joint R&D
What this means for the industry
Mobile SDK is now free
This is a big deal. AR is a young industry- we want to see it into adulthood. We want developers, researchers, students, newcomers etc to be able to test the limits of their imaginations and creativity with one of the most comprehensive and advanced mobile AR solutions out there. I can’t wait to watch these independent developers shape the future of AR applications in their endeavors.
The junaio Creator
User interface and workflow are two of the most important things that any software provider must consider- we want both of these aspects to be more streamlined, more convenient, more natural- and that’s why we announced the junaio Creator. It’s tool that takes all of the image recognition, the natural feature tracking, and the complex algorithms of junaio and reduces that magic to two simple words: point and click. Whether you’re creating a junaio channel or utilizing our junaio Plugin to add a feature to an existing app, the junaio Creator allows you to do this without a single line of code. Check out the demo in the TechCrunch article and see for yourself.
Formal Collaborations with ARM & ST-Ericsson
I’ve been saying this for years: the surest way to enable the smoothest most immersive AR experiences is to ensure the optimization of the hardware. Though we’ve already been optimizing our software for these wonderful mobile devices that pepper our lives, metaio can now work directly with these processing and chipset providers to find the best way to ensure that mobile devices are AR-ready before they hit the shelves.
In closing
We have a genuine passion for what we do. It may seem as though we ‘re making bold statements, but please understand that it comes from a shared excitement, an almost child-like fascination in its innocence at seeing dreams becoming reality, not just 3D and digital content (though we do that too).
Augmented Reality on Every Smartphone by 2014- It will be magic.
Hatsune Miky is an adorable, completely digital Japanese celebrity created by Crypton Future Media in 2007 using YAMAHA’s “Vocaloid” Software. The (evidently) 16-year-old, 5’2” songstress’s voice has been samples in thousands and thousands of user-generated videos, audio tracks, animations etc. Her albums have even topped the Japanese charts- not bad for a girl that doesn’t exist!
Hatsune Miku may be a digital construct, but the great thing about Augmented Reality is that we can take digital and 3-D content and breathe life into it by placing it in the physical world. A virtual entity could assume all three dimensions and interact with the real world- and that’s exactly what we did for the beautiful Hatsune Miku in this most recent development for Toyota.
Toyota has been enamored with Hatsune Miku for quite some time now- they’ve produced numerous (and clever) video spots featuring the star interacting with people as though she were a real person, as well as print ads, billboards (they’re everywhere here in San Francisco) and an integrated social media campaign. We were happy to be able to (literally) bring a new dimension to Hatsune Miku’s recent introduction to the states.
iOS users can immediately access the experience by downloading the free Toyota Shopping Tool App in the iTunes App store. An Android update is coming soon, but until then users with Android devices can download metaio’s free mobile AR browser, junaio, and search for the “Hatsune Miku” channel to get the same cool performance. Once the app is launched, just point the camera at the image below (called a “ToyoTag“) to see Hatsune Miku singing “Big Dream” and dancing alongside her favorite vehicle, the 2011 Toyota Corolla.
metaio used the junaio Plugin to develop this app for a Toyota, a feature that combines the technology, audience (1.7 Million Downloads) and accessibility of junaio, the most advanced mobile Augmented Reality browser, with the added value of a custom branded white-label application. We were able to use the same superior image recognition technology and tracking algorithm as we use in junaio to integrate this experience directly into Toyota’s mobile app as if it were a white-label application. Even better, the modular structure of the Plugin allows content to be easily and efficiently modified and changed, making the junaio Plugin a great development and branding solution.
Read the full press release here, and be sure to stay posted on all of Hatsune Miku’s exploits in America with Toyota. And make sure to check out this great video of the experience below:
Augmented Reality as a technology is often seen through utilitarian eyes. AR has many appropriate industry uses, such as improving mechanical safety inspections, interactive training procedures, mobile instruction manuals, and assembly-line safety. But over the past few months, we’ve seen developers use our technology more and more for personal, emotional, most importantly artistic expression.
XYZ Site Gallery AR experience
It’s difficult to try to comprehend the almost limitless design possibilities when you have the potential to take any digitally-designed or rendered object and place, overlay, or otherwise anchor it to the physical world. Imagine: a vast museum of virtual artifacts and objects occupying the same space as the Louvre- accessible only through your mobile device! The term “mixed media” is barely sufficient anymore- we’re beginning to see a real blending of the virtual and the physical, with a substantial emphasis on using metaio’s software, like junaio, to curate and design galleries, exhibits, art and space augmentations, and even use “basic” functionalities of junaio to guide and navigate around them.
Chris Hodson and Sarah Staton recently designed an experience for the Sheffield, UK Site Gallery in which they designed and implemented sculptures that were part virtual and part material, including marble, concrete, metal, wood, glass, wool and cork. The experience was triggered by a series of markers placed around and inside the museum- such a simple installation process for something so complex! Hodson and Staton even worked with physicist Dominic Hosler to design a “cuboid game of life and death”, in which “infinitely accumulating and dissipating cubes” loop themselves into eternity.
Anyone living or vacationing in Italy this year should already be familiar with the 54thVenice Biennale Art Exhibition. This year, we’re pleased to announce there will be a junaio channel running the duration of the event until 27 November 2011. The channel, “Venice Augmented”, was developed by San Francisco-based Certified Developer Vitamin AR under the direction of artist Amir Baradaran, and places examples of Baradaran’s work in POI’s around Venice and the Biennale, as part of his “FutARism” campaign:
I am interested in how small acts of resistance, particularly within so-called virtual domains, can create pockets of transformation. Seeking to generate much more than novel surprise, my art explores new ways of being.
These are just two ways in which artists are using junaio to design wonderfully interactive experiences. Below is a list of links to recent examples of junaio augmenting the art world. What kind of projects could you envision, knowing that what you design is not bound by the laws of nature? A Borgesian map, perhaps?
Wink.
-Trak
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Scope, Cabinet Exhibition, Peninsula Arts Gallery, Plymouth, UK; Vladimir Geroimenko and Roberto Fraquelli
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