Launch of "Sound AR Consortium" to Connect Regions and the Future with the Power of Sound

Sony Marketing Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Daisuke Kawaguchi), Shobunsha Holdings Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Shigeo Kuroda), and NEC Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President, CEO and Representative Director: Takashi Morita) announce the launch of the "Sound AR Consortium" (hereinafter referred to as "the Consortium"), a collaborative organization aimed at revitalizing regions and solving social issues in the fields of tourism DX, disaster prevention, and education, based on Sound AR (Augmented Reality) technology.

The Consortium aims to establish new experiences originating from hearing as next-generation social infrastructure by bringing together the diverse expertise of participating companies.

1. Background and Vision for the Establishment of the Consortium

AR technology, which overlays digital information onto the real world, is rapidly developing with the spread of smartphones and the evolution of wearable devices. Among these, Sound AR, which allows information to be acquired through sound, is expanding its applications, primarily in the entertainment field, such as multilingual guidance at tourist destinations and audio guides at attraction facilities.

The Consortium aims to establish Sound AR as social infrastructure that "connects regions and the future with the power of sound," extending beyond its use in entertainment.

We will promote the development and establishment of Sound AR through multifaceted approaches such as deep historical experiences at tourist sites, new information dissemination during disasters, and inquiry-based learning in educational settings.

2. Main Areas of Activity and Social Value

1 Revitalization of the Tourism Industry and Promotion of Tourism DX

We will provide opportunities to rediscover the charm of tourist destinations through multilingual audio guides and highly entertaining content. We will also implement initiatives to alleviate overtourism and support regional revitalization.

Sound AR is a technology that provides audio content based on location information. By utilizing anonymized location data in an appropriate format, it is possible to visualize human flow, which can be used for promoting visitor circulation and considering measures to alleviate congestion.

2 Utilization in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

We aim to contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation by providing experiential evacuation drill content and multilingual support.

3 Nurturing Next-Generation Human Resources in Education

We will provide a curriculum for "inquiry-based learning" that digitizes regional history and culture into audio content, allowing students to create regional content themselves. Through inquiry-based learning, we aim to improve understanding of the region and enhance digital literacy.

4 Other Planned Activities

- Research and Development: Advancement of Sound AR technology and improvement of human flow analysis accuracy. - Social Implementation Rollout: Sharing of successful case studies in collaboration with local governments and organizations domestically and internationally. - Official Events: Holding of Sound AR Summit (annual) and Sound AR Awards.

Company Overviews

Managing Companies

Shobunsha Holdings Inc. https://www.mapple.co.jp/company/

Sony Marketing Inc. https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html

NEC Corporation https://group.nec/global/ja/about/corporate/

Participating Companies and Organizations

Caritas Inc. https://www.career-tasu.co.jp/corporate/

Service Marketing Inc. https://s-mkg.com/#aboutUs

General Incorporated Association Tourist Ship https://touristship.jp/

International Professional University of Technology https://www.iput.ac.jp/

Mikle Inc. https://mikle.co.jp/company.html

Japan Ninja Council https://ninja-official.com/

I-MA Inc. https://i-ma.jp/

JTB Corp. https://www.jtbcorp.jp/jp/company/profile/

NTT West Corporation VOICENCE Company https://voicence.jp/company/

<Contact Information for Inquiries Regarding This Matter>

Sound AR Consortium Secretariat https://www.sound-ar-consortium.com/