Demonstration experiment of "MR airport experience" using MR (Mixed Reality) technology and local 5G at Nanki Shirahama Airport - Open to the public for a limited time in August -

Nanki-Shirahama Airport,Inc. (Note 1, hereinafter referred to as Nanki Shirahama Airport), NEC Corporation (Note 2, hereinafter referred to as NEC), TOPPAN PRINTING CO.， LTD. (Note 3, hereinafter referred to as Toppan Printing), Macnica (Note 4, hereinafter referred to as Macnica) , Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (Note 5, hereinafter JAL) is using MR (Mixed Reality) technology and local 5G to create digital content in virtual space and runways, etc. at Nanki Shirahama Airport in Wakayama Prefecture. We will begin a demonstration experiment of the "MR Airport Experience" that combines real space from today.
``MR Airport Experience'' is a service where you can freely paint an airplane in virtual space and watch the painted original airplane land on a real runway in full size. This service will be implemented as part of a demonstration (Note 6) utilizing advanced technology announced in March of this year.
In August, we will also hold a trial session for general customers.

At Nanki Shirahama Airport, we are currently conducting an extraordinary experience tour around the backside of the airport, which is normally off limits, such as observing aircraft taking off and landing from the surrounding road as the Nanki Shirahama Airport Backyard Tour. We will further expand this tour and add "MR airport experience" using MR technology and local 5G as a new experience content to enjoy the airport, aiming to make it a permanent service after 2023.

[Overview of MR airport experience]
In this service, multiple participants, such as family members and friends wearing MR glasses, work together to paint an airplane in virtual space. After the painting is completed, you can see the one and only original plane in the world that you painted landing on the actual runway in full size on the road around the actual runway.
These experiences will be realized as immersive services by utilizing MR technology and local 5G, which is capable of high-capacity, low-delay real-time transmission.

1. Original airplane painting experience made by everyone
A 1/4.2 scale 3D airplane will appear in front of the participants wearing MR glasses, and they will be able to feel the shape of the airplane and paint it freely using crayons and spray paint. By synchronizing each participant's painting information with low latency via local 5G, it is possible to check each other's painting status in real time, so that all participants can cooperate and enjoy making one original airplane. I can do it.
Visitors who do not wear MR glasses can also watch the participants painting the planes from the display in the terminal building. This allows participants and visitors to share the excitement of the creation process.

how to paint

2. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the flight situation with the 3D flight radar
After the painting experience, a 3D flight radar showing the terrain from Haneda Airport to Nanki-Shirahama Airport, which is the actual departure and arrival point of the plane, appeared in front of the participants wearing MR glasses, and the original departure from Haneda Airport. An airplane is displayed. You can check the state of the flight to Nanki Shirahama Airport and the original plane operating over Japan. You can also enjoy various ways such as looking for famous spots on the Japanese archipelago such as Mt.Fuji and watching commentary.

Original airplane video image on 3D flight radar
(It is different from the flight number that is actually operated.)

3. Experience a real-life landing on a real runway
After moving to the surrounding road, participants put on MR glasses, and an original painted airplane appears in the sky, allowing them to see the impact of a full-size airplane landing on an actual runway.
In addition, from inside the terminal building to the road around the area, you will travel by autonomous driving vehicle (Note 7) (implemented only in August). By utilizing autonomous driving vehicles, we will contribute to solving the problem of securing human resources such as drivers, which is expected in the future, and reducing operating costs.

Original airplane landing video image

Self-autonomous driving vehicle used in this demonstration

[Demonstration role sharing]

[Outline of experience session for general customers]
Date: August 19th (Friday) to August 24th (Wednesday) (excluding August 22nd (Monday))
Participation method: Scheduled to be released on the NEC website in mid-July

Based on the results obtained from this demonstration, the five companies will consider operation methods and service details for service provision from fiscal 2023 onwards. We will work to increase the number of visitors to Nanki Shirahama Airport by enhancing the appeal of the airport by fostering further experiential value and a sense of anticipation, and at the same time, we will promote painting experiences using MR technology to surrounding facilities and tourism resources in the Nanki Shirahama area. By expanding, we will contribute to the promotion of tourism in the region.
Furthermore, we aim to expand to other regions as a service that contributes to regional development starting from the airport.

that's all

(Note 1) Nanki-Shirahama Airport,Inc. (Head office: Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, President: Shinichiro Okada)
(Note 2 Executive Officer NEC Corporation (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Board Director and CEO: Takayuki Morita)
(Note 3) TOPPAN PRINTING CO.， LTD. (Head office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Hideharu Maro)
(Note 4) Macnica (Head office: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Kazumasa Hara)
(Note 5) Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President Executive Officer: Yuji Akasaka)
(Note 6) Started demonstration experiment using local 5G at Nanki Shirahama Airport
https://jpn.nec.com/press/202203/20220314_01.html
(Note 7) In this demonstration experiment, we will use the autonomous driving vehicle "EVO" manufactured by France's NAVYA and provided by Macnica. EVO is an EV-spec shuttle bus equipped with an autonomous driving system, and features an open and comfortable cabin space without a driver's seat for steering, accelerator, or brakes. The vehicle has a seating capacity of 3 people and travels at a speed of approximately 15km/h.
(Note 8) MEC: Multi-access Edge Computing
Edge computing considering access from local 5G terminals and Wi-Fi devices
(edge server)
(Note 9) JAL Hometown Support Team: Flight attendants selected through in-house recruitment to provide detailed support for the revitalization of each region across the country. We continue to discover the appeal of the region, build bonds with local residents, and revitalize the area by participating in local events and planning and promoting local products.