The Eden Project, META Camera, Marshmallow Laser Feast and AQL combine, winning one of the government’s 5G testbed program positions.
We will be connecting people virtually to the Eden Project through next generation, 5G enabled, 360 video cameras. The cameras, will be pushing streams at up to and over 8K resolutions from around the site, connecting educational institutions, carehomes, fans of live music and anyone and everyone interested to this fantastic project. The cutting edge system at Eden will allow the team to create and test a series of compelling augmented reality and virtual reality programmes and new experiences for visitors, transporting them from anywhere in the country, virtually, to the site.
The infrastructure will also enable the streaming of high-quality content via Eden’s web and social media networks so that millions of people can be reached beyond the home of the world-famous Biomes. The consortium is entitled Eden Universe and partners include aql, one of the UK’s most innovative telecoms and 5G mobile network operators, immersive media content experts Marshmallow Laser Feast, and META, pioneers of 360-degree camera technology.
The program will allow Meta to further the development of it’s market leading 360 degree camera systems and software and demonstrate the capability to stream at unparalleled resolutions and qualities for sustained periods.
The 18-month programme starts straight away and will allow the team to test the technology in situ, and work with Eden’s visitors to demonstrate and assess the enhanced experience and content that the new technology will enable. The 360-degree cameras built by META will provide alternative views of specific locations within the Eden Project, some moving, some static and some with embedded, live, augmented reality graphics and information about the flora and fauna in the site.
Henry Stuart, Co-Founder of META, said: “The cameras will allow us to transport people to parts of the eden site they could never reach, the tops of trees, moving through the canopies and far more.
“The content will reveal invisible layers of Eden and new stories. This experience can also be made available in the home via an immersive 360-degree live stream. Audiences will be able to view the same footage, sent ‘out’ of Eden via the power of the 5G network.”
One of the crucial aspects of the project is the integration of the Marshmallow Laser Feast visual layers in to the feeds.
Mashmallow Laser Feast Executive Producer Eleanor Whitley said: “Eden is already a visually captivating place full of wonderful stories so the team have to carefully consider what kind of digital content can truly add value to the visitor experience.
“The programmes we will create through this bid will reveal invisible layers of Eden and new stories, delving deeper into subjects already presented to audiences but which aren’t currently possible to explore without the 5G infrastructure.”
Eden’s Development Director Dan James said today: “The Eden Project is delighted to have secured support from the 5G Create fund. Eden is a visually rich and wonderful place to be, so having this new technology on our Cornwall site and the opportunity to create new digital content with our project partners is very exciting.
“We are looking forward to testing just how 5G can help support our educational, arts and community programmes and provide new and compelling reasons for people to keep visiting us in person or virtually.