Kudan Launch Next-Generation Augmented Reality Engine, Announce Senior Executive Team and Time Inc. Discussions

BRISTOL, England, September 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Kudan Limited, the professional Augmented Reality (AR) company based in the UK and Japan, launches an Augmented Reality engine and announces senior executive hires in USA and at their home base in Bristol, UK to further expand their reach. Kudan are also pleased to announce commencement of discussions with Time Inc. with a view to furthering their leadership in the media business.

Kudan SDK 

The Kudan SDK gives developers a robust and lightweight Augmented Reality engine for iOS, Android and Windows powered devices. Compared to what is currently available in the Augmented Reality market today it offers greater flexibility and more features to aid the creation of quality computer vision based applications, without the need for specialized knowledge.

Kudan's founder, Tomo Ohno says, "Kudan's AR Engine is a game changer, enabling mobile developers to create innovative AR experiences easily. The new executives come with vast experience from software, media, and development.  I believe this will give us holistic view of the industry, and a wider reach." 

Technology 

The Kudan AR SDK offers developers significant differentiators to existing solutions.

• A built-in suite of modern tracking capabilities including on unlimited, local marker (image) based and markerless tracking (SLAM, Arbi-Track).
• A 3D rendering engine facilitates realistic, animated 3D models and HD video.
• The SDK has a very small footprint, meaning that devices with limited storage space, for example Smart Glasses, Machine Vision applications and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, will also benefit from the lightweight SDK.

Please see https://www.kudan.eu/products/ for full technical specifications.

Market 

With Apple, Inc.'s purchase of Metaio Gmbh, the German AR software provider, coupled with uncertainty about the future of Qualcomm, Inc.'s Vuforia, Kudan's entrance to the market at a time of volatility creates an opportunity for developers who are searching for a modern solution.

Pricing 

The SDK is currently free whilst in developer preview mode*. Kudan are encouraging developers to launch their apps whilst the offer lasts.  

*Developer preview mode does not include SLAM.

Senior Executive Team 

The hires include Howard Ogden, an experienced founder, developer and communicator, who's role as Chief Evangelist will be to promote understanding, expand the developer network and initiate strategic partnerships.

Ogden arrives at Kudan's HQ off the back of an impressive 6 year career in mobile AR, during which he founded his company Mobilistar, and led development of cutting-edge applications for the likes of The European Commission, The Rolling Stones and Google, Inc.

The AR veteran states, "We've got the software to disrupt the marketplace and, working together with forward-thinking partners, we'll push the Augmented Reality industry to the point where it becomes as commonplace and useful as the World Wide Web - as I believe it will be."

Based in New York and Boston, USA, Kevin A. Weafer has been appointed President of US Operations.

Weafer brings a wealth of global media experience in publishing, digital, social and Augmented Reality. His background includes new product development, franchise expansion, operational and sales management. Prior to Kudan he was VP Sales with DAQRI, a leading Augmented Reality company. Weafer also has previous experience as National Sales Director, VP Business Development, SVP and Director of Sales & Marketing.  At Time Warner, he held a series of increasingly senior positions, including Managing Director/Americas for Time Magazine.

Weafer comments: "Augmented Reality is the leading technology used by the most sophisticated marketers worldwide.  Kudan, as the leading global AR company, aggressively supports these companies as well as the advanced developer community with tools that provide remarkably forward thinking strategies, concept design and development, R&D and analytics to document ROI.  Kudan's superior engine, product development and partnership mentality are the smart choice for engaging with AR."

Time Inc 

Time Inc. shows a significant step toward furthering its leadership in the media business by entering into discussions with innovative technology company Kudan.  

Important and interesting point of this alliance is that Kudan is a provider of disruptive technology, not ready to use solutions or services. This means Time Inc. continues to innovate its core business, integrating its brands, content and audiences with the latest technology. 

While the Internet and social media increased the frequency and volume of media and content, the credential and depth of knowledge of this content has not increased at the same speed.  Time Inc. believes its powerful brand expertise and knowledge, as it becomes a broader media company, can be enhanced by utilizing new and sophisticated technology.

Tomo Ohno, Kudan's Founder and Managing Director says, "We are thrilled with this burgeoning alliance and recognize Time Inc.'s remarkable brands as world class and the standard bearers of excellence and authority."    

About Augmented Reality  

Global mass-market adoption of Augmented Reality is happening today. Google incorporated an AR feature in its Translate app, bringing mobile AR to a wider audience than ever before. Hololens, Magic Leap, and Google Glass all represent technology that will deliver Augmented and Mixed Reality experiences.

Recent data suggests a tenfold revenue increase over the next four years and may exceed $2.4 billion by 2019 (Juniper Research, 'Augmented Reality: Consumer, Enterprise & Vehicles 2015-2019').

Forrester Research Inc. issued a report that Augmented Reality, alongside Virtual Reality, should be a part of the innovator's toolkit.

Gartner Group forecast that AR would become an important tool in the enterprise (Gartner, 'Innovation Insight: Augmented Reality Will Become an Important Workplace Tool').

Experts acknowledge that the potential for enterprise and mass-market adoption of AR exceeds that of VR due to its numerous use cases and its naturally transformative and agnostic positioning in our everyday lives and devices.

https://www.kudan.eu/