(image: Ricoh)
TOKYO, JAPAN, Apr. 11 (Korea Bizwire) - Ricoh today announced the second annual developers contest soliciting applications for apps and gadgets that utilize the RICOH THETA camera, which can take 360-degree, fully spherical images, or videos, in one capture. Registration will be open April 1, 2016 through August 10, 2016. Those registered have until August 31, 2016 to submit their final apps and gadgets. Applicants will get early access to the new platform, which is optimized for cloud-based applications leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT).
Held as part of Ricoh’s 80th anniversary celebration, this year’s contest challenges developers to create innovative apps and gadgets that work in conjunction with the RICOH THETA, including those that allow the use of the RICOH THETA in a cloud-based environment as enabled by the new IoT platform. International winners of the contest will receive assistance for travel to the Tokyo, Japan for the awards ceremony. The First Prize winner award will be one million yen.
“In this age of the IoT, where many objects are connected to the cloud, the value of making data and API ‘open’ has been increasing steadily. An open environment also helps drive innovation,” said Dr. Ken Sakamura, Chief Judge of this contest, and Professor of Interfaculty of Initiative in Information Studies at the University of Tokyo. “Globally, the trend is for the adoption of open API’s to enable the control of products. Early bird access to cloud API for RICOH THETA will be available to the contestants. However, the open API trend is still not major in the Japanese market. I look forward to seeing the contest receive submissions that merge concepts and the camera with novel IoT ideas.”
RICOH THETA’s ability to capture imagery from all directions with a single capture means that it is an ideal device for providing content to applications that benefit from the emerging IoT age, in which virtually all devices are connected. The new IoT platform makes it possible for developers to efficiently and cost-effectively build cloud-based apps, which typically require significant expertise in cloud services and servers as well as a longer development time. Contest applicants will get first access to the beta version of this platform and a cloud API, which will be released as a BaaS (Backend as a Service)* for RICOH THETA.
* BaaS (Backend as a Service) is a type of cloud computing that provides app developers with shared functions such as authentication and management of users and equipment, push notifications, and SNS linking through the internet. App developers can incorporate these functions easily through the use of cloud API (Application Programming Interface) and SDK (Software Development Kit).
Contest Overview
Sponsor:
・Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Co-sponsor:
・YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory
Cooperation:
・National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
・DWANGO Co., Ltd.
Qualifications for application:
Only those who meet the requirements for this contest may apply. Individuals, teams, or companies are eligible. No limitations exist on nationality, age, place of residence, etc.
Ricoh product used:
RICOH THETA / RICOH THETA (m15) / RICOH THETA S
How to apply:
Fill in the application form on the special website during the entry period and submit the work by the deadline for product submission.
Concept of application:
・New IoT concept apps that integrate the RICOH THETA with the Internet, including sensors, data on the Web, etc.
・Gadgets and apps linked with RICOH THETA
Applicants’ benefit:
Cloud API beta version and 3D model data of RICOH THETA series. Cloud API will add its features sequentially. For details visit the contest website which is updated as needed.
Judging criteria:
Innovative concept appropriate for IoT
Entries will be judged comprehensively based on the points below:
・Whether it is innovative (originality)
・Whether it represents a vision (promise for the future, can be developed further)
・Whether it would yield practical benefits
Judges:
・Ken Sakamura, Professor of Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, Graduate School, The University of Tokyo
・Atsushi Ozawa, Principal Investigator(Science Communication), National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), Japan
・Ryotaro Muramatsu, CEO/Director, NAKED Inc.
・Toshihiro Shimizu, Manager of Engineering and Communication Office, DWANGO Co., Ltd.
・Shiro Kondo, Chairman of Ricoh
Awards:
・First Prize (one award): 1 million yen
・Second Prize (three awards): 500,000 yen each
・80th Anniversary Prize (five awards): 300,000 yen each
・Honorable Mention (number of awards to be announced): 100,000 yen each
・International winners will receive travel assistance to attend the awards ceremony in Tokyo, to present the submitted works.
Schedule (Japan Time):
Entry period is April 1, 2016 (Fri) – August 10, 2016 (Wed)
Deadline for work submission is August 31, 2016 (Wed)
Awards ceremony: November 7, 2016 (Mon)
Detailed information:
Contest overview, main points for submissions, submitted works, etc. can be found at the RICOH THETA x IoT Developers Contest website
http://contest.theta360.com/index-en.html
Inquiries:
RICOH THETA x IoT Developers Contest Office
YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory
Email: support@contest.theta360.com
Remarks:
For details see the application rules.
*The company names and product names described here are the trade names, trademarks or registered trademarks of each company.
About Ricoh
Ricoh is a global technology company that has been transforming the way people work for more than 80 years. Under its corporate tagline — imagine. change. — Ricoh continues to empower companies and individuals with services and technologies that inspire innovation, enhance sustainability and boost business growth. These include document management systems, IT services, production print solutions, digital cameras, and industrial systems.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in over 190 countries. In the financial year ending March 2015, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,231 billion yen (approximately 18.5 billion USD).
For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com
About YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory (UNL)
UNL promotes research and development in ubiquitous computing and IoT (Internet of Things) technology, in which many objects in our surroundings are embedded with small computer nodes with sensors and actuators that communicate with each other and operate in a cooperative manner to offer sophisticated services to human users.
www.ubin.jp/en
About National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
Miraikan (The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) highlights cutting-edge science and technology as “new knowledge and innovation” through various methods, such as permanent and special exhibitions, events, on the web. To arouse the interest of the general public, Miraikan is developing methods of expression and communication to present the information in an easy-to-understand manner.
http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/
One of its official partners since October 2006, Ricoh is helping the next generation get acquainted with science and technology.
About DWANGO Co., Ltd.
DWANGO Co., Ltd., is an entertainment company striving to create the next generation of network communication throughout various genres such as gaming and music.Our products include online and packaged games, music services for mobile, and “niconico douga*” — a service that has over 50 million registered users and is one of Japan’s largest video sites.
http://dwango.co.jp/english/
*niconico douga is a registered trademark of the DWANGO Co., Ltd
For reader or editorial inquiries please contact:
Ricoh
Email: pr-contact@contest.theta360.com
Source: RICOH Company, Ltd. via Marketwired
