[Courtesy of SK Telecom]
SEOUL -- SK Telecom unveiled a virtual stadium that allows users to create avatars and connect up to 100 people to virtual space simultaneously for conferences, performances and exhibitions. Anyone can host a three-dimensional non-face-to-face meeting. The free service can be used with smartphones and personal computers without any virtual reality devices.
To provide a sense of realism, SK Telecom (SKT) said that the "Virtual Meetup" service can implement large screens, stages, and seats in three dimensions in a virtual conference space. Users can make their own avatars by choosing faces, hairstyles and costumes and participate in virtual gatherings.
The service marked the relocation of Jump Studio to SKT's head office in central Seoul. The mixed reality (MR) studio, which utilizes Microsoft's technology to create holographic images, automated much of 3D modeling work with artificial intelligence, cloud, 3D processing and rendering technologies. It uses 106 cameras to shoot 360 degrees and up to 60 frames per second and automatically compresses high-capacity video data into mobile streaming capacity.
MR is a hybrid of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). An MR headset projects 3D holographic images in real-time to maximize the viewing experience of users. At SKT's MR studio, users can create MR, VR and AR content for various applications and freely expand, shrink and reproduce 3D MR content. In June, SKT's studio produced a 3D MR performance for K-pop band Super Junior's online concert.
SKT said it would push for the global expansion of AR and VR services. The first overseas client was PCCW Global in Hong Kong. SKT said it is discussing joint investment with major mobile network providers and content companies in Europe, North America and Asia.
"We will do our best to make Jump Studio, which moved to T Tower, become a content mecca for Asia beyond South Korea," SKT's MNO business head Yoo Young-sang said at an online meeting on October 20. SKT would expand its business of customizing AR, VR, and MR content and allow users to summon favorite celebrities anytime to take photos and share them on social networking services.
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