March 14, 2017

Launch of AOI Pro. VR Dream Match™ Baseball Serviced Edition
A Highly Immersive Baseball Experience!

TOKYO-- AOI Pro. Inc. has begun offering its Original Serviced Edition of “VR Dream Match™ Baseball”
following improvements made to the prototype edition announced in September 2016.
VR Dream Match™ Baseball is a virtual reality (VR) program that recreates the pitching of baseballplayers to provide a real baseball experience. The opinions of more than 600 people who have used VR
Dream Match™ Baseball at exhibition events in Japan and other countries have been used in theupgrade of the program and the device in the Serviced Edition.
▶Website https://www.aoivr.jp/◼ An even more realistic program structure
The program has been reconstructed by the group company DIGITAL GARDEN INC., a postproduction, with an emphasis on “precise graphics,” “real pitching motion,” and “pitching trajectoryand rotation incorporating physical calculation.”
15 new pitching varieties have been added for users to experience, including the split-fingered
fastball, the hop (a pitch that appears to rise up), and a 200-km/h fastball produced by physicalcalculation. Supervision of pitching trajectories was provided by Data Stadium Inc., a company thatoffers sports data acquisition and analytical services.
◼ Development of “Impact-equipped Mitt and Bat” using haptics
In order to create a more effective experience, the “Impact-equipped Mitt and Bat” has beendeveloped, which raises the touch-feedback in the mitt and bat from “vibration” to “impact.”
Development incorporated haptics*1 research findings from the Embodied Media Project*2 by aresearch group at the Graduate School of Media Design at Keio University with cooperation fromassociate professor Kouta Minamizawa.
The Impact-equipped Mitt and Bat is scheduled for use in the model at upcoming exhibition events.
*1 Technology in which cutaneous feedback sensations are experienced when the user exerts power,vibration or movement, etc.
*2 A project to study the creation of new physical experiences using technology◼ Customization for further expansion to suit customer needs
T The provision, lease and sale of four models of the Serviced Edition with different specializations
that can be customized to suit customer needs will be available.
1. Cooperation model for player improvement
2. Exhibition event model
3. Lease model for event and amusement facilities, etc.
4. Distribution model for online game platforms and Internet cafes, etc.
There is also a plan to offer the sale of content naming rights and collaborative options for advertisinginside VR spaces (stadium signboards, images on the batter’s eye screen, etc.).
▶ To view the movie, please visit our YouTube channel;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K891RVopr4
Most users felt some sense of fear at the experience of catching the “1st pitch,” and there were evensome who said that their shoulder hurt when they missed the ball. The development team viewed
this as being a key proof that “an experience in a VR space can move the heart.”
Efforts will be made to provide experiences that move the heart by proactively utilizing Group
resources in connection to “content using the latest technology, including VR/AR/MR, IoT and AI,etc.,” which is the strategy of AOI TYO Holdings.

About AOI Pro.
Since its establishment in 1963, AOI Pro. has established an industry-top level position in Japan forvideo productions centering on TV commercials. In addition to more than 600 commercial
productions every year, AOI Pro. has been proactively working on feature films and dramas in recentyears. As a 100% subsidiary of AOI TYO Holdings, the Group has the resources required foreverything from planning to direction, production, 3DCG works, and the latest equipment.
▶Website

http://www.aoi-pro.com/en/About Data Stadium
Since its establishment in 2001, Data Stadium has been acquiring, storing and analyzing data from theJ-League, Professional Baseball, and the Rugby Top League, etc., and has been providing solutions tostrengthen sports organizations, teams, clubs and players, and to improve tactics. Data Stadium alsooffers new ways of enjoying sports by providing fans and the media with a variety of data andentertainment content utilizing this data.
▶Websitehttps://www.datastadium.co.jp/en/index

About The Embodied Media Project in Keio University Graduate School of Media Design
This project aims to create future media technologies that record, share, enhance, and even create
the kind of experiences that humans have through their bodies. By studying embodied informatics
in human interaction, this project designs embodied experiences that entertain, enchant, andempower humans.
▶Website

http://embodiedmedia.org/◼Contact details
For Serviced Edition information,VR/AR Project Teamprovision, leasing and sales

E-mail: info_vr@aoi-pro.co.jp

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