Japanese companies, Panasonic and NTT, to develop 3-D video systems

According to The Nikkei Asian Review, Panasonic is joining with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) to develop next-generation information systems ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including 3-D video distribution systems for broadcasting sports events.

The two Japanese companies, key sponsors of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, see the events providing an excellent opportunity to promote their technologies to the rest of the world.

Panasonic's technologies for shooting and processing 3-D video will be combined with NTT's high-speed communications technologies. This will make possible public viewing of Olympic events in 3-D, for example.

The duo also plans to launch a service that enables smartphone users to choose the camera angle. This technology will have applications beyond the Olympics, such as concerts and other events, so demand from overseas is expected to be strong.

Furthermore, Panasonic and NTT intend to develop electronic billboards that would let foreign tourists’ access facility information, transportation options and other information in their native languages simply by holding their smartphones up close. Panasonic's high-resolution display and other video technologies will be integrated with NTT's data analysis technologies to commercialize this product.

Panasonic aims to create 150 billion yen ($1.2 billion) in new business through the Olympics. It has already reached a deal with French information technology giant Atos to jointly develop state-of-the-art systems, such as surveillance cameras and displays, for the Tokyo Olympics.

Ref: http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Panasonic-NTT-to-develop-3-D-video-systems