To boost the realism and interactivity of virtual travel , VoicePing partnered with a cloud communications platform to deliver super-realistic VR.

To meet increased demands for immersive virtual travel tours, a Japan-based VR travel experiences firm has turned to digital transformation to provide a high-quality VR travel services.

The firm, VoicePing, needed to implement exceptional video calling capabilities quickly and seamlessly within their application and at scale. Its project manager Kei Shimizu also wanted to build solutions that empower people around the world to interact with anyone, anytime, anywhere, language-free, and enjoy their lives, work, and lifestyles through the use of the latest technology.

Partnering cloud communications firm Vonage, VoicePing built a VR travel service that enables highly realistic 360-degree video playback, two-way voice communication, and automatic AI translation of commentaries. Users can use VR goggles and a computer to enjoy virtual travel as if they are really visiting the places of interest.

Using a supplied application programming interface, VoicePing could tap into the Vonage cloud communications video platform’s features to allow virtual travelers to choose two ways of experiencing a virtual trip:

  1. Explore the country under the care of a real local tour guide in real time (alongside 360-degree VR images captured by the local guide). For this option, travelers can now engage in real-time conversations and interactions with the virtual tour guide without concerns about language barriers due to the automation translation feature.
  2. Explore the country using only the app and without a local guide.

Other enhanced features include: realistic karaoke experiences; VR Music (a live-music distribution service) and VR Therapy—which allows users to experience therapy in a virtual space.

Said Amitha Pulijala, VP of Product, Platform Services, AI and Video, Vonage: “The pandemic has greatly restricted the ability to travel and experience new countries and cultures, and caused a major shift in the way we engage with one another. As more and more experiences become virtual, demand continues to increase for experiences that rival in-person interaction.”