Computer Vision for MR (Mixed Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality)
Computer Vision has emerged as a crucial tool for mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, enabling filmmakers like us at MOONJI Production to detect and track real-world objects and surfaces in real-time and use them in our extended reality productions. In a nutshell, Computer Vision is making it possible to create more immersive and interactive experiences for users, allowing them to experience or even interact with digital content in a more natural and intuitive way. But what is Computer Vision and how did this originally medical-based technology move into the world of production?
What is Computer Vision
Computer Vision is a branch of artificial intelligence that aims to enable computers to interpret and understand visual information from the world around us. Originally developed for the medical and logistics industry to better measure and count objects, calculate their weight or volume, and perform inspection at top speed with respect to predefined characteristics.
Essentially, this tech is able to look at an objective an, through a variety of technologies and methods, including image processing, feature detection, and machine learning algorithms, it can analyze and interpret almost anything then feed data to its controller – whether that’s identifying a cancerous organ or simply mapping and rendering a 3D model of something real in a virtual reality space.
Computer Vision in Extended Reality Production
In the context of MR and AR, Computer Vision is now enabling these technologies to detect and track real-world objects and surfaces for use in digital production experiences. By using Computer Vision to detect and track real-world objects and surfaces, MR and AR applications are able to do more work in real-time, creating more immersive and interactive experiences for users by allowing them to interact with digital content in a more natural and intuitive way.
Computer Vision is already being used in the production of TV and film content, interactive media, games, sports, advertising, and gamified customer experience. For example, a team at Oxford University, UK, have used this new technology in the automatic reconstruction of 3D information from 2D image sequences. In layman’s terms, this means a 2D scene has been scanned and a 3D image has been rendered from it. Interestingly, this technology has already been used in movies such as the “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter” series, although it has come a long way since then. More recently, this tech is helping video game developers recognize objects and process scene reconstruction and motion tracking in quick and accurate ways.
Computer Vision and Industry 4.0
In addition to entertainment and media, Computer Vision has applications in many other fields from production (industry, not media), logistics, science and healthcare.
And although there are significant challenges in the application of Computer Vision in these domains – including the need for large amounts of labeled data and the complexity of medical image analysis – the development of deep learning and deep convolutional neural networks has significantly advanced the field in recent years, offering new opportunities for the development of future-focused tech that will no doubt transform many industries over time.
Needless to say, machine vision systems like Computer Vision are expected to play a crucial role in the future of production, and in extension, to lead the charge in the evolution of future medical, product and logistical industries. By using computer vision, MR and AR applications can create more immersive and interactive experiences for users, allowing them to interact with digital content in a more natural and intuitive way.
At MOONJI Production, we are very excited to see where Computer Vision will take our industry in the coming years, and see just how far it spreads across all facets of modern life, from entertainment and media to industrial automation, product development and healthcare. Watch this space as we keep you updated…