Technology and products are a mirror that reflect the desires and instincts of people: TETSUYA MIZUGUCHI

March 18, 2016

This is part one of a three-part conversation on future technologies and lifestyle between Tetsuya Mizuguchi, a creator involved in various activities such as games, music, and moving images on a global scale and specially appointed professor at Keio Media Design in the graduate school of Keio University, and Ricoh researcher, Kensuke Masuda. In this first installment they bring together their imaginations to ignite discussions on the technology of VR (virtual-reality) and AR (augmented-reality) and how those technologies are bringing about changes in lifestyle and additionally the significance of the existence of those technologies.

The year 2016 will become the first year of an era for virtual reality and will gradually merge with augmented reality

• Masuda：

  I participated in the launch of the research project for the RICOH THETA, a camera that with one shot is able to photograph 360 degrees. After that I was involved with development of the technology for the Light Field Camera that is able to capture data in three-dimensional space. I also launched a project called the mass production of high-value added crops, which involves the introduction of ICT to agriculture, and now I’m involved in strategy formulation of all research laboratories as Ricoh.

• Mizuguchi：

  I’m also extremely interested in THETA. From now on, it will be virtually impossible to discuss the future direction of technology and lifestyle without mentioning the topic of VR and AR. It is thought that 2016, with all the various forms of virtual reality products entering the market, will be the first year of virtual reality era. It is predicted that it is starting with VR and will gradually merge with AR related items.

• Masuda：

  Ricoh is advancing development of underlying technology that allows for the capture of data with three-dimensional depth.

• Mizuguchi：

  Up until now, image media has had an extremely narrow point of view, restricted to a square in a two-dimensional space. Around 1890, Edison and the Lumiere brothers were the first to discover image media, black-and-white film, and that condition has continued from that point on for the last 130 years. However, a few years ago the technology allowing three-dimensional space allowed depth data to be scanned almost in real-time and that was a hit all over the world.

• Masuda：

  Up until that point, things that could be recorded in 2D reality came to be easily recorded in 3D.

• Mizuguchi：

  Yes, that’s right. Visual media no longer consisted of taking a picture but rather transitioned to scanning. And future oriented products, like THETA, were realized. That wasn’t the end and I think there still exists future scenarios that will see the reiteration of various combinations and continuous change. Mr.Masuda, from the perspective of research and development, what do you think about this?

VR and AR technology creates a world where you can start over

• Masuda：

  Just as you now mentioned, I feel the fact that 3D scanning technology has been provided for consumers has had a great impact. Consequently, it has come to be possible for the average person to do the job that was traditionally only done by a select group of creators with artisan skill. If you think about the number of connections between technology and people, the synergy is expanding enormously and I even think something beyond our imagination on the development side might happen. And I feel to bring about that situation we engineers and manufacturers must lead the average person in that direction. As a familiar example, this will probably bring about great value for preview of houses or rooms in the real estate industry.

• Mizuguchi：

  I see. In 2036 potential applicants, while remotely controlling the property’s three-dimensional space, will be able to experience how it is to actually live in a specific room, customize the rooms as they like, and furthermore it will become so commonplace that one will be able to make a final decision. I think this type of technology will eliminate people’s stress and will become more convenient in society.

• Masuda：

  Yes you can probably say that it is a world where it’s possible to start over. Before you purchase a house, by using VR to experience what it is like living there, you can customize in advance the area you feel is inconvenient and it will allow you to create a really satisfying house. I think an age will arrive where one can acquire exactly what one wants.

• Mizuguchi：

  Before actually constructing the house, you can complete the ultimate house for yourself. In the past you moved the mouse and looked at an object in the square monitor, but now it is easy to experience that with VR.

• Masuda：

  But once that type of experience is achievable, there will be people who say, “I don’t need to make a house anymore” won’t there? (laughter)

• Mizuguchi：

  I think that won’t necessarily happen. I don’t think the desire for tangible objects and the curiosity for the externalization of imagination will disappear. I think the media is a mirror that reflects the desires and instincts of people. When someone has some sort of AR or VR experience, and really likes the place, it is human nature to want to actually go there.