“NHK AR Time Warp” is an innovative app that allows users to explore Asakusa by superimposing the townscape with various historical images, enabling users to explore Asakusa’s past and present. The app was used in NHK’s city exploration television program “Commemorative Photos Across Time — MACHIKODO Time Warp (まちかどタイムワープ)” which premiered on July 17th, 2023. Similar to the elementary school students who took part in an app experience event, anyone with a compatible smartphone device can install it. The app was operational from July 2023 until the end of August 2023.
The development of this app was inspired by a tweet from our engineer, Matt (@mechpil0t), who regularly conducts Research and Development (R&D) for various apps. In 2020, Matt was conducting experiments with an app to verify various technologies and ideas developed through R&D. He had a personal interest in watching old footage from Japan. During this time, he noticed that many landmarks like Sensoji Temple’s Kaminarimon Gate are still well preserved today. This sparked the idea of using digital technology to overlay old footage onto the current environment, creating an intriguing concept for an R&D app. Among the many old videos, Matt became particularly interested in the historical footage of Asakusa. The footage showed people passing through various gates in Asakusa, and he noticed that even in the present day, people were still passing through the same gates. He saw this as a special connection that transcends time, bridging the present and the past. This discovery became the catalyst for the tweet that led to the “NHK AR Time Warp” app’s development. Apart from Asakusa, there are various old videos available from other locations as well. Matt has been conducting similar experiments in places like Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nikko, Kamakura, and more.
As users navigate through the app's virtual environment, they not only witness the evolution of iconic landmarks but also uncover the stories embedded within the fabric of each location. "NHK AR Time Warp" offers a gateway to the past, inviting users to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Japan. When pointed at the Kaminarimon Gate or the main hall, footage from the past is displayed through Augmented Reality at their respective locations. Simply aiming the camera at the target building and pressing a button will reveal relevant footage on the screen. When you capture a photo together with the AR video, it will be processed to have an old film-like effect, allowing you to take photos similar to the ones in this article. You can experience a time-warping-like effect, as if you have traveled back in time!
Beyond its educational and entertainment value, the app stands as a testament to the power of innovation in preserving and celebrating heritage. With each installation on a compatible smartphone device, a new explorer is poised to embark on a journey through time, bridging the gap between generations and fostering a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of our shared history. When visiting Asakusa for sightseeing or other purposes, we encourage you to experience the near futuristic AR technology. The following article introduces the development process of this project. Read on or contact us to learn more about how to leverage historical data with AR.
Japan Broadcasting Corporation
NHK AR Time Warp
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