Mixed reality (MR) is about to go as main stream as it gets. The Weather Channel announced it will be broadcasting using emerging technologies to bring an interactive element to the viewer. Mixed reality, sometimes referred to as hybrid reality, is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. The technology has been used in movies and web yet has not been adopted in mainstream media – yet. Get ready, the storms are coming your way!
“Our immersive mixed reality (IMR) presentations will combine 360 HD video and augmented and virtual reality elements that are driven by real-time data and our expert on-air talent to transport our audience into the heart of the weather,” said the Vice President of Design for The Weather Group, Michael Potts. “We are excited to continue our investment in the latest technologies that are not just cutting-edge, but on the bleeding edge of design and science.”
The Weather Channel is further pushing the limits of broadcast presentations for real-time immersive storytelling. Viewers will see towns and local street corners recreated in astonishing detail; meteorologically accurate tornadoes, hurricanes and the devastating effects of storm surge. They will look just as real as the images and video you see in the movies. The Weather Channel will bring mixed-reality disasters to broadcasts
