With the massive growth virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) has experienced it’s not just forward thinking tech companies and videogame developers looking to unlock its potential. Brands and advertisers want to do the same, so AOL and RYOT have launched RYOT Lab to aid in just that field.
Making the announcement, Zeda Stone, Chief Innovation Officer, RYOT and Creative Director, RYOT Lab wrote: “RYOT is announcing the creation of RYOT Lab, a dedicated team of artists, technologists, developers, and engineers that empowers brands and advertisers to tap into the storytelling power of immersive formats and interactive experiences using emerging technology.”
RYOT Lab will be focused on companies who wish to utilise VR, 360-degree video, AR, volumetric capture (holograms) as well as physical activations and events, to put their message across. RYOT Lab has already launched AR campaigns with Elle, and Cosmopolitan, now for its official launch RYOT Lab has revealed a collaboration with with Time Inc for this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated.
When the next issue arrives readers will be able to use the LIFE VR app to bring specific pages from the magazine to life. Previously this has been done using QR codes, this time however special image recognition software will turn the page into AR content.
The experience has been created with help from Verizon Labs and its envrmnt platform. Verizon Labs built the 3D rendering engine to provide cutting edge experiences through its cellular network, delivered through mobile devices.
“RYOT Lab will provide creative, production, engineering, animation, and development support to brands in order to create immersive format branded content and experiences,” states Stone. “RYOT Lab sits within RYOT, along with RYOT Films, RYOT Originals, and RYOT Studios. RYOT Lab will provide white label VR and AR production for RYOT, while helping to lead technology development and experimentation across other AOL properties.”
RYOT will continue its immersive content development on comedy series Virtually Mike & Nora, and world news show, The Big Picture: News in Virtual Reality, for the Hulu VR app.
For the latest updates on AOL and RYOT Lab, keep reading VRFocus.