VTEC Laboratories
Explore the World Virtually from the Comfort of Home

Imagine navigating the vibrant streets of Tokyo or the serene pathways of Paris without leaving the comfort of your home.

It is made possible today by VTEC Laboratories, a pioneering Japanese company transforming urban exploration with its state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology. By offering immersive 360-degree videos as an alternative to traditional Street View, VTEC allows users to experience cities and tourist attractions as if they were physically present, providing a new dimension of exploration from the comfort of their homes.

“We strive to help people easily discover new places and make the city more accessible, saving them the hassle of navigating and identifying specific locations,” says Akihito Masaoka, CEO of VTEC Laboratories, talking about the company’s mission.

At the heart of VTEC’s innovation is its advanced video stabilization technology, coupled with route video synthesis. This combination captures and processes street and pathway videos with remarkable clarity. VTEC’s video stabilization employs sophisticated signal processing to eliminate video shaking, particularly during high-speed movements, ensuring crisp and clear video playback. It allows users to traverse virtual spaces smoothly without the jarring effects of rapid motion.

Taking the experience further, VTEC Laboratories employs route video synthesis technology to craft moving-viewpoint spherical videos that create continuous virtual routes. The synthesis enables the creation of vivid, immersive paths through city streets, linking extensive video data with precise location coordinates stored in a robust database, eliminating the need for repetitive shooting. Integrating these cutting-edge technologies, VTEC Laboratories pushes the boundaries of how we interact with and experience urban environments digitally, paving the way for a new era of interactive travel and exploration.

VTEC Laboratories begins its process by carefully selecting the areas and points of interest for the VR experience. This is followed by recording comprehensive 360-degree footage of the locations linked to specific geographic data and stored. The footage undergoes sophisticated processing to create interconnected virtual paths, covering everything from bustling city intersections to quieter, linear streets.

Using these technologies, VTEC Laboratories has built next-generation services like Milapse Guide and Milapse Trek. The Milapse Guide service transforms navigation by condensing a ten-minute route into a concise one-minute video, providing clear and quick guidance to destinations. It is precious for users who may feel anxious about navigating new cities, offering reassurance and ease of travel.

On the other hand, Milapse Trek offers an on-foot experience of urban areas, covering everything from bustling main streets to quiet alleys. Users can virtually ‘walk’ these paths and interact with their surroundings by taking turns, looking around and adjusting their pace. Enhanced with virtual signs, the service provides detailed information about landmarks, shops and facilities, enriching the exploration experience.

VTEC Laboratories’ services have gained traction across various sectors, including local government, tourism and real estate, providing these industries with tools to enhance customer offerings. In the real estate sector, the firm enables potential buyers to explore surroundings and properties virtually, gaining a better understanding of the neighborhood. For the tourism sector, the company allows users to walk almost through major streets and navigate and discover restaurants and stores. This immersive experience helps tourists and potential buyers plan their visits and explore the city beforehand.

A notable collaboration with the local Japanese government on the Setouchi project highlights the practical applications of VTEC Laboratories’ technologies. Through immersive 360-degree videos, potential tourists can explore the island's scenic beauty, view active maritime routes, and make well-informed travel decisions.

VTEC Laboratories continues to innovate and expand its offerings, solidifying its position as a leader in virtual urban exploration. With its commitment to enhancing user experience and its ongoing development of technologies that simplify and enrich travel and exploration, VTEC Laboratories sets new standards in the virtual travel industry.