Japanese companies are making a full-scale entry into the market of the virtual space "Metaverse" where you can experience something close to reality on the Internet. In early January, Panasonic announced its entry into the Metaverse business at the consumer electronics and digital technology trade fair "CES2022" held in Las Vegas, USA. The Sony Group is also planning a service to reproduce a soccer stadium where fans can interact on the Metaverse, and the movement toward market development is accelerating. Expectations are high as a field where the knowledge of Japanese manufacturing and the game industry can be utilized.
Glasses-type VR terminal "Megane X" (provided by Panasonic) that can depict high-definition images while being lightweightAt CES held from January 5th to 7th, devices and services that allow you to experience the Metaverse more realistically attracted attention. At a Japanese company, Panasonic subsidiary Shiftol exhibited new products. The glasses-type terminal "Megane X" that allows you to experience virtual reality (VR) weighs about 250 grams, which is lighter than general VR goggles, and uses a miniaturized organic EL panel to enjoy high-definition images. In addition, the "Pebble Feel" scheduled to be released this spring is a device that can instantly cool or warm the neck by combining it with a special shirt. You can experience the heat and cold in conjunction with the Metaverse.
A person in charge of the company emphasized the importance of VR terminals in the Metaverse, saying, "To get into the Metaverse comfortably, you need a lightweight, high-quality VR headset. You can feel like you are diving into the space with your whole body."
Meanwhile, the Sony Group plans to recreate the actual stadium on the Metaverse in partnership with the British soccer powerhouse Manchester City. CES has released a promotional video with the aim of providing a service that allows clubs and fans to interact with each other. In addition, information on the next-generation VR terminal for PlayStation (PS) is also released. It is said that you can experience high quality video equivalent to 4K.
KDDI is already focusing on the Metaverse business in Japan. From May 2020, "Virtual Shibuya" officially recognized by Shibuya Ward, which reproduces the city of Shibuya in Tokyo on the Metaverse, is released. So far, Halloween events and public viewing of the Japan national soccer team have been held on the Metaverse, attracting a total of 1 million people. This spring, we will start a full-scale urban development project that links real cities and virtual spaces.
State of "Virtual Shibuya" during Halloween event (provided by KDDI)In addition, Canon, Softbank, NTT DoCoMo, etc. will also enhance the dedicated studios that convert the appearance and movement of people into 3D data. Since 3D images, which normally require enormous cost and labor, can be produced in a short time, it is possible to bring the Metaverse closer to reality.
Hiromi Kanamaru, a senior strategist at Daiwa Securities, pointed out that "in addition to the infrastructure such as VR terminals and 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, the expansion of the Metaverse market is accelerating due to the influence of Corona." .. According to an analysis by US research firm Emergency Research, the global Metaverse market, which was $ 47.69 billion in 2020, will grow to $ 828.95 billion in 2016. Is expected to expand to. "The key to the future is whether we can successfully develop Japan's strengths such as game content as a Metaverse business," he said. (Hiroshi Kuwashima)
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