2016 was called the first year of VR. Later, more advanced technologies such as AR (Augmented Reality) and MR (Mixed Reality) appeared, and it seemed like they would quickly become popular in the gaming world. However, in reality, this did not happen, and the spread of VR into homes reached a lull, with some location-based VR (facility-based VR) such as “VR ZONE SHINJUKU” only being used on a business basis.
Think VR is over?
In fact, MR, which evolved from VR, is rapidly expanding its possibilities in fields other than games, along with the technology and know-how cultivated in the game field.
In this article, we will introduce the talk event held today, “Beyond VR: In search of the ideal form of MRWe would like to share with you some excerpts from “The possibilities of MR.”
The talk event was held with two guests: Nobuhiko Sasaki (right), CEO of Pocket Queries Co., Ltd., and moderator: Fumio Kurokawa, a well-known media content researcher from Kurokawa Juku.
First of all, here we will give a very condensed explanation of how Mr. Sasaki got into the MR business, which he talked about at the beginning of the event.
Mr. Sasaki started Pocket Queries in 2010. Although he moved from a large company called Mitsubishi Fuso, he says, “I didn’t have any particular strong feelings or odds of success.”
“Partly because I was bored, I jumped into software.”
That’s how Pocket Queries started, and shortly after its founding, they learned of the existence of UNITY.
In 2013, Oculus Rift, a head-mounted display for VR, was released. Mr. Sasaki, who has previously worked with an automobile company in the VR business,
“What used to cost hundreds of millions of yen can now be done for tens of thousands of yen!”
I was shocked.
“We have no choice but to do something about this.”
Furthermore, around 2015, the word AR came into the world, and when information spread that Microsoft’s Hololens would be released soon,
“I thought this might be the next step.”
said Mr. Sasaki.
While Hololens was not yet on sale and there was no actual Hololens, I created a robot that works with Oculus Rift and developed an MR-like Invader game using a method that simulates AR in VR. Masu. This was also exhibited at the 2015 Tokyo Game Show and became a hot topic.
Through this process, Mr. Sasaki’s Pocket Queries Inc. is currently proposing and developing various MR contents in partnership with Tokyo Electric Power Company, JAXA, etc. through MR development technology.
So, what kind of MR content is Mr. Sasaki’s Pocket Queries currently developing? Let me introduce some of the things introduced at the talk session.
This video is an introduction to an MR solution called “QuantuMR” developed by Pocket Queries in collaboration with Tokyo Electric Power Company.
By using “QuantuMR”, MR can be applied to work inside power plant facilities, for example, and work can be performed with higher productivity.
Specifically, what I mean 
Display various information remotely on workers’ goggles to efficiently carry out work instructions,
Ensure safety by sending an alarm on your goggles if you try to enter a dangerous area.
You can do something like this.
In addition, it will be possible to read analog meters and switches with a camera and use them as digital data, and by sharing the MR space with Hololens, it will be possible to share work as if you were in the same space even if you are in different spaces.
“The challenge for equipment maintenance companies is that they need to do something to cope with the decline in the number of employees going forward.”
said Mr. Sasaki.
MR can be said to be a solution with great potential for equipment maintenance work, such as being used as an on-site tool to operate equipment with a small number of people, or as an educational tool to pass on technology. .
Currently, various verifications are being carried out, and it is likely that some companies will begin full-scale implementation from this year.
Next, let me introduce another example.
This is a 3D model of the satellite that was loaded onto the JAXA rocket that was launched on January 18th.
This was used at a JAXA press conference in December last year, and 10 HoloLens were prepared to allow reporters to view a 3D model of the satellite.
The real satellite is located somewhere else, so it would normally be shown in photos, but by showing it with MR like this, it is possible to convey more information.
For example, in the case of this 3D model satellite, it is possible to open and see parts that cannot be opened in reality.
In this way, we feel that MR has a wide variety of possibilities as a tool to show things that cannot be shown in real life or that are difficult to show.
Pocket Queries is involved in the development of many MR contents in addition to the two examples above, and it seems that the technology and know-how gained through game development is still useful in terms of technology and operations.
For example, on the technical side, by making the UI (user interface) and instruction displays that appear in MR game-like, it becomes possible to operate in an easy-to-understand and intuitive manner.
“Until a few years ago, when we talked about game elements, there were a lot of negative reactions, but recently people have started to think that it would be better to have game elements.”
said Mr. Sasaki.
In terms of operation, for example, in MR content for training training, introducing a game-like system where you compete with colleagues for points makes it easier to continue, and says, “The structure of social games in mobile games can also be helpful.” .
It is true that there are still issues with the widespread use of head-mounted displays, such as the size, weight, and battery life, but these are gradually being removed through advances in hardware and ingenuity in software.
VR, AR, and MR have not become explosively popular in games, but it feels like they are already one step away from becoming popular in the practical business field.
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