Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Vissel Kobe Collaborate on Trials of New 5G Match Viewing Experience

Tokyo, December 3, 2020 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. and Rakuten Vissel Kobe, Inc. today announced that the two companies have carried out a PoC (proof of concept) real-life trial of a new match viewing experience using Rakuten Mobile’s 5th generation mobile communications system (5G). The PoC was held at Noevir Stadium Kobe on November 15 and 18, and used Rakuten Mobile’s 5G mmWave network to trial the following^*1:

1.  Displaying statistics and real-time tracking data using AR (augmented reality)
2.  Running a multiplayer game using AR
3.  Streaming and viewing low-latency multiangle video before matches

This is the first PoC held on Rakuten Mobile’s 5G commercial network.

About the PoC
1.  Display statistics and real-time tracking data using AR
In the PoC, official J.League statistics (JSTATS)^*2, such as player information, location data, ball possession ratio and offside line position, were shown in real–time, overlayed on actual play on the screen of a smartphone with a dedicated app installed. The smartphone was pointed at the pitch from the stands. By using AR technologies to display stats and match data in real–time, superimposed over actual play, Rakuten Mobile aims to realize a new match viewing experience.

2. Run a multiplayer game using AR
In the PoC, visitors could take part in a soccer game against other visitors in the stadium through a dedicated app on a smartphone pointed at the pitch. Through the use of AR cloud technologies, players on different devices could see the same action taking place on-screen and play the game together. In the game, players were split into two teams and controlled “Okaimono Panda,” Rakuten’s official character, and competed to score goals against the other team. This game represents a new type of entertainment content for before or after matches or during halftime.

3. Streaming and viewing low-latency multiangle video before matches
In the PoC, visitors could watch real-time multiangle video of the stadium through a dedicated site from the stands before the start of the matches. Video was streamed from a number of cameras around the stadium, and visitors could select the angle they wished to watch through the website. The system is expected to be used at concerts and events in the future.

View of the stadium before the matches

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Vissel Kobe will look into providing real-time player and match information and to provide a new match viewing experience, offering visitors a deeper, more enjoyable experience in the stadium.

*1  The trials of displaying statistics and real-time tracking data using AR and running a multiplayer game using AR were carried out during the 2020 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League 27^th Sec match between Vissel Kobe and Shonan Bellmare (Nov 15, kick-off 14:00) and the 2020 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League 31^st Sec match between Vissel Kobe and Urawa Reds (Nov 18, kick-off 18:00). The trial of the streaming and viewing of low latency multiangle video was carried out before both matches.

*2  J STATS is the general term used for the various types of match data recognized by the J.League.