[First in JAPAN] Leveraging the Camera Kit from Snap Inc. for WebAR
Designium Inc. and Kansai Innovation Center (hereinafter referred to as MUIC), in collaboration with Tamurakoma Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Tamurakoma), utilizing WebAR technology with the aim of promoting the charm of Osaka and drumming up the Expo 2025 Osaka. Today, the AR APP “BILLIKEN DIVERSITY” is officially launched.
※WebAR:allows users to experience AR on a web browser.
※BILLIKEN:the "god of happiness" born in the United States in 1908.■ Overview
Implementation Period: | 2024.3.14 (Thu.)～2025.10.31 (Thu.) ※Tentative |
AR Content: | 1「BILLIKEN EMOTIONS」 -New photo spot in Osaka- 2「BILLIKEN PARADE」 -Little god who brings happiness⁉- |
Role of Each Company: | MUIC：Overall Planning, Promotion Tamurakoma：Characters, Official Site Designium：AR Content Development |
Technology: | Snap’s Camera Kit |
■ Background
MUIC Kansai, a membership-based innovation creation base operated by Kansai Innovation Center, serves as a gathering place for bringing together companies and individuals engaged in tourism. It fosters new connections and provides a platform to find various solutions.
Under the concept of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai “People’s Living Lab — A laboratory for a future society”, we aim to utilize cutting-edge technology to promote Osaka’s charm and drum up excitement for the Expo. To achieve this, we have released an AR content featuring “Billiken,” a beloved symbol of Osaka among locals and tourists, called “BILLIKEN DIVERSITY.”
■ AR Content
In “BILLIKEN DIVERSITY,” you can experience two types of AR content using the Snap’s Camera Kit, enabling easy and high-precision AR experiences on your web browser. It is worth noting that it is the first case in Japan to incorporate “Camera Kit” into website for use.
＜「BILLIKEN DIVERSITY」- OFFICIAL SITE - ＞
①「BILLIKEN EMOTIONS」
Experience AR content on-site. Scan the Billiken statue, and its expression will randomly change to reveal your fortune for the day. Moreover, switch to the selfie camera, and your face will turn into Billiken…?! Enjoy this new AR photo taking experience.
<Billiken statue that you can interact with>
In front of Tamurakoma Head Office, Senbachuo, Osaka
Golden observation platform of Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka
In front of Yokozuna Shinsekai Honten, Osaka
②「BILLIKEN PARADE」
Whether you’re at home or out and about in the city, you can enjoy the AR content featuring Billiken. Just tap the screen with your smartphone and colorful Billiken characters will appear. They will march forward in a procession accompanied by cheerful music. Feel the presence of Billiken right at your fingertips!
■ What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a popular messaging app that allows users to exchange pictures and videos. It provides a different experience than traditional social media, allowing easy, fun and fast communication. You can turn on the camera to capture and send photos instantly to share everyday moments with friends. Snapchat has more than 250 million daily active users engaging in AR experiences.
■ What is Camera Kit?
Camera Kit from Snap AR brings the power of Snap’s AR platform to your websites and mobile apps on iOS and Android. It enables us to deliver scalable, cross-platform AR experiences to our customers. Developers can integrate the Camera Kit AR SDK into native mobile apps and websites to deliver custom AR experiences. Furthermore, the AR experiences can be shared not only for proprietary products but also with the entire Snapchat community.
About Kansai Innovation Center
Kansai Innovation Center was established by Hironori Kamezawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Junichi Hanzawa, President and CEO of MUFG Bank, and engage in activities aimed at contributing to the revitalization of the Kansai economy and the success of the 2025 World Exposition (Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai).
About Tamurakoma Co., Ltd.
Tamurakoma Co., Ltd. is a trading company specializing in textiles, engaged in apparel, living, and industrial materials/electronic components businesses. It has a history of approximately 130 years since its establishment and handles a wide range of products.
About Designium Inc.
Designium is a company that creates new AR/XR experiences through combining technology with creativity, especially focusing on the development with VPS (Visual Positioning System). We have utilized VPS for our R&D and application over the years. We’re certified as a development partner by Niantic and have won awards including the Niantic Lightship Challenge.