HTC and NTT Officially Sign MOU to Broaden LBE Experiences Throughout Japan
HTC Corporation, known for its HTC VIVE virtual reality offerings, announced earlier this week that it has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), a Japanese ICT solutions provider, to enhance the development of large-scale location-based entertainment (LBE) experiences throughout Japan.
LBE experiences utilize XR headsets within real-world settings, enabling multiple participants to engage with shared virtual content in physical locations. HTC emphasized that its deployment framework is tailored for rapid installation with minimal renovations, providing greater adaptability and improved efficient spatial usage.
As per the companies, the partnership will merge HTC’s LBE platform technology with NTT Com’s knowledge in smart venue infrastructure and networking. The objective is to create scalable immersive experiences that can be executed in current sports and concert venues, especially during off-peak times.
HTC has previously implemented immersive cultural exhibitions globally, including:
- Eternal Notre-Dame, a reconstruction of the renowned Notre-Dame cathedral;
- Versailles: The Lost Garden of the Sun King, an experience set within French royal gardens;
- La Magie Opéra, an XR exhibition at the Paris Opera.
The company’s system accommodates multi-user interactions in environments up to 1,000 square meters in area and can be tailored for training, exhibitions, performing arts, and tourism purposes.
To broaden the range and depth of their immersive content offerings, HTC and NTT Com indicated they intend to seek content collaborations with Japanese intellectual property owners in gaming and anime, as well as with local government entities and cultural organizations.
NTT Com also intends to incorporate technologies such as IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network), IoT systems, and tactile communication tools to facilitate real-time, multi-site interactions for future LBE implementations.
