VENTURI project aims to make mobile augmented reality fully immersive

The immersiVe ENhancemenT of User WoRld Interactions (VENTURI) project will focus on developing technology for smartphones and laptops to enhance a user's perception of the real world. Backed by Framework 7 European Commission research funding, the three year project will develop algorithms, software architectures and pilot use cases to enable the production of engaging mobile AR apps for next generation platforms. Björn Ekelund, ST-Ericsson's head of ecosystems and research, said: "VENTURI is yet another example of how ST-Ericsson is working hand in hand with world leading companies and research institutions to ensure that our smartphone and tablet platforms support the cutting edge in mobile services and applications." Viviana D'Alto, director of computer vision research platform, advanced system technology group at STMicroelectronics, added: "Augmented reality applications require several advanced technologies to converge in order to deliver their full potential in fields such as leisure, gaming, education and in medical applications aimed at improving the quality of life for all people, especially those with sensory impairments. Collaborating with the project's partners to facilitate device convergence, STMicroelectronics will leverage its image and video processing expertise, along with its unique SW and HW integration skills, to provide new and exciting ways to interact with portable devices, while addressing energy management constraints." VENTURI apps will be developed using ST-Ericsson's latest smartphone platforms and will be optimised to take advantage of the power of next generation hardware and software. The research groups will port mobile AR technologies, such as visual recognition and tracking algorithms, onto ST-Ericsson platforms and test them with users in several real life scenarios.