“Incheon VR/AR Production Support Center” to drive the production of Incheon’s very own K-content
In recent years, K-content (VR/AR content) has garnered significant attention from overseas markets, following in the footsteps of K-pop music and K-dramas. This rise in popularity of K-content is driven by a production system that blends Korea’s advanced technology and a solid foundation of advanced culture to make people tune in from all over the world. And with more people staying at home since the COVID-19 outbreak, exciting VR and AR immersive content - both of which people can enjoy without worrying about where they are - are becoming the answer to entertainment at home.
Incheon has the perfect place for K-content production - the Incheon VR/AR Production Support Center, which serves as a central hub and platform for Incheon’s content production industry.
▲ In recent years, K-content (VR/AR content) has garnered significant attention from overseas markets, following in the footsteps of K-pop music and K-dramas.
And with more people staying at home since theCOVID-19 outbreak, exciting VR and AR immersive content - both of which people can enjoy without worrying about where they are - are becoming the answer to entertainment at home.
Mecca of the content industry, now spreading out into the world
Immersive content using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)technology is expanding not only to entertainment fields, such as games and images, but also to industrial sites. In 2019, the VR/AR market for industrial applications surpassed that of the entertainment VR/AR content market for the first time ever.
Moreover, the gap between the two markets is expected to triple by 2023. For this very reason, Korea is focusing on the field of VR/AR industrial applications, and is promoting various projects to push its agenda across the country.
One notable project currently under way is a government-driven plan to open 14 VR/AR regional centers nationwide. Each Center will feature VR and AR production facilities, and support the production and commercialization of VR and AR content in connection with local industries.
▲ Incheon VR·AR Production Center features three main facilities - an open studio that exhibits content developed at the Center on the 1st floor of Gaetbeol Tower, a dedicated simulator room that functions as a content laboratory, and a content production room that lends advanced equipment such as motion capture equipment free of charge on the 2nd floor of the industry-academic cooperation building opposite to Gaetbeol Tower.
▲ Screen capture of “Rising” (developed at the VR·AR Development Hub Center
Meanwhile, Incheon already has a history of supporting the development of VR/AR content for the aviation industry. With the support of the city government, Augmented Knowledge Co., Ltd. introduced aviation maintenance content named “IAR-MAP” by combining AI and AR technology, which is applicable directly to aircraft take-off and landing activities at the Incheon International Airport.
With IAR-MAP, an aviation mechanic can check the maintenance manual ahead of time while checking components or machinery, such as the landing gear and wheels, suited for a particular model using AR imagery just before beginning maintenance activities. Incheon is also planning to find avenues into the global market, and promote start-up “discovery” projects with hub centers in other regions.
An official from the Incheon City Government said,“The VR/AR global market is expected to grow to KRW 119 trillion by 2022. The three domestic telecommunications companies are also actively participating in the VR market by launching their own virtual reality platforms, and providing 360-degree video services. We look forward to injecting some energy into the VR/AR contents industry in Incheon with our new Center.”
Incheon, a global creator for K-content
Incheon is at the Center of high-tech K-content business. The city is actively developing virtual and augmented reality content for landmarks such as the Incheon International Airport and Songdo Bio Cluster. Incheon also established a “Mid-/long-term development strategy for the VR/AR industry” in order to advance and grow its local content industry.
Moreover, it opened the “Incheon VR/AR Production Support Center”as part of its broader initiative to develop the content industry, thanks to added support from Incheon Techno Park, an industrial complex that supports the technological innovation of Incheon’s SMEs.
The Center, which opened in Songdo back in 2020, is a regional base dealing with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), both of which are drawing attention as core technology fields of the next-generation content industry. The Center operates an integrated inter-industry professional human resources training academy, helping Incheon meet the demand for high-quality personnel from companies in related fields and create more employment opportunities. It also serves as a base for products and services from related industries looking to expand globally by supporting the publishing of VR and AR companies in the global market.
Furthermore, the Center supports content development, lends AR and VR devices free-of-charge, develops professionals, and incubates companies with content that has proven to be effective based on industry-academia-research cooperation.
▲ Incheon has established a “Mid-/long-term development strategy for the VR/AR industry” and has opened the “Incheon VR/AR Production Support Center,” as part of its broader initiative to develop the content industry, thanks to added support from Incheon Techno Park, an industrial complex that supports the technological innovation of Incheon’s SMEs.
▲ VR/AR Production Center in Incheon Techno Park
Incheon’s VR/AR Production Center
The Incheon VR/AR Production Support Center features three main facilities - an open studio that exhibits content developed at the Center on the 1st floor of Gaetbeol Tower, a dedicated simulator room that functions as a content laboratory, and a content production room that lends advanced equipment such as motion capture equipment free of charge on the 2nd floor of the industry-academic cooperation building opposite to Gaetbeol Tower.
Creators can develop AR/VR content using these facilities, use various types of head-mounted displays (HMD) and motion capture equipment capable of shooting and storing 360-degree moving images in 3D in order to not only showcase/exhibits products, but also continue soliciting business. In total, the Center has 354 pieces of expensive equipment (43types), including AR and VR control sets, available for various users.
▲ The Incheon VR/AR Production Support Center supports content development, lends AR and VR devices free-of-charge, develops professionals, and incubates companies with content that has proven to be effective based on industry-academia-research cooperation.
■ Virtual Reality (VR)
[Virtual Reality] A technology that makes virtual environments and objects appear as if they are in front of a person using special glasses or goggles.
■ Augmented Reality (AR)
[Augmented Reality] A technology that is setup based on the real environment It superimposes virtual graphics created using computer graphics technology onto images from the real environment.
