Rakuten Mobile’s 5G Standalone Mobile Network powers new VR theater

January 25, 2023 3 min read
Rakuten Mobile leveraged its 5G Standalone mobile network to host an immersive experience of the virtual reality play “Typeman."

On December 13, 2022, Rakuten Mobile leveraged its 5G Standalone (5G SA) mobile network to host an immersive, hands-on experience of the virtual reality (VR) play “Typeman” through the Rakuten Mobile Partner Program. CinemaLeap Inc. and WOWOW Inc. co-produced the theatrical experience to give participants a taste of the future potential of 5G-powered entertainment.

Participants take part in the VR experience session.
Participants take part in the VR experience session.

Directed by Keisuke Itoh, “Typeman” was selected for the Venice Immersive section at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September 2022. The play is a new style of theater that is highly immersive, relying on participants to advance the story. As part of the experience, participants can watch a real-time performance in the Metaverse, by an actor playing “Typeman” from a remote location. They can also walk around the stage and interact with the actor.

The "Typeman" VR screen.
The “Typeman” VR screen.

Rakuten Mobile enables a truly immersive experience

5G SA is a mobile network configured on dedicated 5G communication technology, from the RAN (Radio Access Network) to the core network. A 5G SA network optimizes the main features of 5G, including ultra-high speed and large capacity, ultra-low latency, as well as multiple simultaneous connections. This all combines to provide optimal network services for a plethora of next-gen applications.

Participants use VR headsets to progress the story of “Typeman.”
Participants use VR headsets to progress the story of “Typeman.”
Participants use VR headsets to progress the story of “Typeman.”
Letters from heaven: A scene from the "Typeman" VR screen.
Letters from heaven: A scene from the “Typeman” VR screen.

At the experience venue in Tokyo, Rakuten Mobile prepared multiple computers and VR headsets which participants used in the “Typeman” Metaverse powered by Rakuten Mobile’s 5G SA network. Thanks to the stable communication environment, participants were able to successfully immerse themselves in the VR theater experience and communicate with the actors in the play.

Actors in the "Typeman" metaverse, powered by Rakuten Mobile's 5G SA network, performing remotely.
Actors in the “Typeman” metaverse, powered by Rakuten Mobile’s 5G SA network, performing remotely.

Participants share their thoughts on this new style of theater

So what did participants of the unique VR experience have to say? “It was a totally new experience,” noted one participant, while another commented, “It felt immersive, and it was fun to experience real interactions with people.” A third participant praised the visual experience: “The VR images are beautiful. It was really amazing to see the detailed textures and colors.”

Will 5G usher in a new era of entertainment?

With the continuing spread of 5G SA and the optimization of next-gen network resources, it will become increasingly possible to enjoy a wide range of content across the Metaverse, extended reality (XR) and more.

Rakuten Mobile will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment experiences by pioneering demonstrations and experiments with the goal of delivering valuable new services to users that leverage 5G and Rakuten’s fully virtualized cloud-native mobile network.

For more about “Typeman,” visit the link below: https://www.xrmust.com/xrmagazine/keisuke-itoh-typeman/

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