Canon U.S.A. + Embraer North America: Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality Based on Canon Proprietary Imaging Technologies: To Be Used for Production of Next-generation Aircraft

This video (2013) presents Canon MREAL Mixed Reality headset hitting US March 1st for $125,000.

Canon MREAL System: Image Courtesy of Canon

Canon’s imaging technology, MREAL (Mixed Reality; a.k.a. MR) System displays computer-generated (CG) images (a.k.a. CGI) within real-world environments, creating the sense that virtual objects actually exist.

For example, the evaluation of Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera’s design details.

Canon MREAL System allows a user to experience an immersive interaction while the user is holding a Real World 3D object covered with hexagonal MREAL Markers (left) and seeing the virtual EOS 5D Mark III camera's design details (right). Image extracted from video above. — Canon MREAL System allows a user to experience an immersive interaction while the user is holding a Real World 3D object covered with hexagonal MREAL Markers (left) and seeing the virtual EOS 5D Mark III camera’s design details (right). Image extracted from video above.

Real (left) + CG = Mixed Reality (MR) World (right; The world in user's eyes when putting on a head-mounted display). When looking at the markers through the head-mounted display, the CG images are displayed right in that location. Image extracted from video above. — Real (left) + CG = Mixed Reality (MR) World (right; The world in user’s eyes when putting on a head-mounted display). When looking at the markers through the head-mounted display, the CG images are displayed right in that location. Image extracted from video above.

"Maximize Attention to Detail: Mixed Reality brings users into a 3-D world where - with unprecedented realism - they can walk through a scene, survey a landscape, and interact with an object or environment. Examine models from nearly any angle. For example, see how components manufactured at different locations will fit together as expected." Image Courtesy of Canon — “Maximize Attention to Detail: Mixed Reality brings users into a 3-D world where – with unprecedented realism – they can walk through a scene, survey a landscape, and interact with an object or environment. Examine models from nearly any angle. For example, see how components manufactured at different locations will fit together as expected.” Image Courtesy of Canon

The virtual image of Canon EOS 5D Mark III: Image extracted from video above.

Canon’s diagram below shows how the MREAL System works.

(1) Two video cameras inside the head-mounted display (HMD), one each located in front of the left and right eyes, capture video from the real world, which is then sent to a computer.
(2) After gauging the user’s positioning and orientation based on registration markers captured by the video cameras and data from the built-in sensors, the system accurately aligns the real-world and virtual images and displays them on the small monitors located inside of the HMD.
(3) The system’s free-form prism, comprising cutting-edge optical technologies, enlarges the video displayed on the small monitors to enable users to experience high-impact three-dimensional images with low distortion.

Canon MReal System is Mixed Reality - Combining the Real World with the Virtual One. The Canon MREAL System combines your virtual world designs with your actual environment. The mixed reality experience offers more realism than conventional Virtual Reality and enables you to interact with designs in real time, from any point of view, and with a lifelike sense of scale. Image Courtesy of Canon — Canon MReal System is Mixed Reality – Combining the Real World with the Virtual One. The Canon MREAL System combines your virtual world designs with your actual environment. The mixed reality experience offers more realism than conventional Virtual Reality and enables you to interact with designs in real time, from any point of view, and with a lifelike sense of scale. Image Courtesy of Canon

The MR System is configured using Canon proprietary imaging technologies as shown here.

Canon proprietary imaging technologies: Image Courtesy of Canon

Canon: An Immersive Interaction between the Real World and MR World via a Free-Form Prism in the HMD

More info about Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality is located at http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/office/products/hardware/mixed_reality

In accordance with Embraer‘s technological development plan, Embraer North America recently chose Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality to:

strategically leverage engineering and design activities for the production of next-generation aircraft, and
explore aircraft designs in life-size scale and in three dimensions.

Embraer's Virtual Reality Center (VRC): Image Courtesy of Embraer — Embraer’s Virtual Reality Center (VRC): Image Courtesy of Embraer

PRESS RELEASE

Embraer North America Partners with Canon U.S.A. to Propel the Future of Aircraft Manufacturing

MELVILLE N.Y., June 9, 2015 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that the Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality has been chosen by Embraer North America to strategically leverage engineering and design activities for the production of next-generation aircraft. By combining the rich, visual information of the real world and the flexibility offered by computer-generated images, the Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality will provide Embraer engineers with the necessary solution to explore aircraft designs in life-size scale and in three dimensions.

“Embraer has been using virtual reality in Brazil to create digital prototypes and evaluate designs since 2000,” says Humberto Pereira, vice president, Engineering and Technology, Embraer. “But our engineers in the U.S. will enjoy the next phase of this philosophy, using the Canon MREAL System for Mixed Reality to provide a more interactive, immersive and flexible experience.”

With the help of the MREAL System, aviation designs can now be examined, modified, manipulated, analyzed and presented with a level of realism that allows complex ideas and plans to quickly come to fruition.

“We are incredibly honored and excited to join Embraer in establishing the future of Mixed Reality technology, demonstrating the ways in which engineering and design can be achieved,” said Junichi Yoshitake, senior vice president and general manager of Business Imaging Solutions, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “This new relationship is validation of how the Canon MREAL system can unlock new possibilities and help the aerospace industry to implement efficient workflows for the design and development of tomorrow.”

The Canon MREAL technology will be a centerpiece of the new Embraer Engineering and Technology Center in Melbourne, Florida. This state of the art facility was built with a $24 million investment from Space Florida. The aerospace and spaceport development authority of the State of Florida, developed for the purposes of fostering the growth and development of a sustainable and world-leading space industry in Florida. Equipped with forward-thinking technologies, the new technology center will enable Embraer to transform the way they work, manufacture, engineer and drive the future of aircraft design.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2014† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2015. In 2014, Canon U.S.A. has received the PCMag.com Readers’ Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the 11^th consecutive year. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED^® Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact pr@cusa.canon.com.

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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