ARMONK, N.Y., July 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE:IBM)
and Canon, Inc. announced that, starting in July, the two companies
will start a new collaboration to make high-quality digital video
content creation more accessible with the use of volumetric video
technology in entertainment and the arts through a joint
go-to-market effort.
Volumetric video technology leverages cameras and advanced data
processing to render 3D images from a virtual space, which allows
for video point of views to be generated from any angle within that
space to create a more immersive experience for viewers. Canon has
used this technology during an international rugby tournament in
2019 and other sports events, and
in July 2020, the company opened
their Volumetric Video Studio - Kawasaki at its Kawasaki Office.
By combining both companies' technologies, products and
networks, Canon Inc. and IBM will jointly propose a volumetric
video solution for the visual and performing arts community, with
the goal of exploring new business opportunities to help create and
grow new value for audiences. Specifically, Canon will contribute
its volumetric video technology, which makes possible nearly
simultaneous video capture and generation of high-resolution video.
Through this technology, Canon provides a new method for video
content production and audiovisual experiences, in addition to
passing on valuable cultural traditions, while IBM will leverage
its experience in the arts to provide consultation services
including strategy planning and execution support to the arts
and entertainment businesses to advance their digital
transformation. IBM helped build a high-speed infrastructure to
enable this volumetric video render by combining the accelerated
computing technology of the IBM Power System AC922 server with the
high-bandwidth IBM Elastic Storage System, and provided technical
support to meet the responsive capability required for real-time
description. With this infrastructure, IBM aims to improve the
efficiency of digital content creation with volumetric video
technology.
As the first step in the collaboration, the two companies have
published a Lady Aoi supervised by the Hoshokai, which trains and
performs Noh theater. Noh is a traditional form of Japanese
theater created in the 14th century and is the oldest
major theater format still performed today. This video deftly
expresses images of a spirit which moves between a Noh stage and
the inner psychological world depicted by the head of the Hosho Noh
Style, Kazufusa Hosho.
"With the integration of the volumetric videos and 3D graphics,
I depicted psychological emotions of 'Rokujounomiyasundokoro', the
main character of Lady Aoi, through her spirit moving between a Noh
stage and the inner psychological world, with which I focused on
how much it can make a deep impression on viewers, when they watch
it," said the head of the Hosho Noh Style, Kazufusa Hosho. "Thanks
to volumetric video technology, I believe I was able to create new
worldview which differs from real performance."
To create this video, Canon scanned and measured an actual Noh
stage to create a 3D computer-generated model and CG animations
with dynamic backgrounds, captured a Noh performer's performance at
their Volumetric Video Studio – Kawasaki, and generated the video
integrating all of these components in one rendering.
With this collaboration, Canon and IBM Japan aim to expand
utilization field of volumetric video technology, as well as
creating new value in entertainment and the arts.
To view a sample movie created using this technology, please
visit the Volumetric Video Studio Kawasaki website:
https://global.canon/ja/vvs/noh/en/.
CONTACT
Sam Ponedal
IBM Media Relations
sponeda@us.ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM