Levan Center of Innovation Unveils State-of-the-Art Volumetric Capture Studio In Collaboration With Sony Electronics And GeniusXR

The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center of Innovation) has opened a Volumetric Capture Studio (VCS), which it calls “a game-changer in 3D content creation. In a groundbreaking collaboration between Sony Electronics, GeniusXR, and the Levan Center of Innovation, this state-of-the-art studio represents a new era in immersive storytelling.”

Sony Electronics provides the backbone of VCS with its high-end cameras and machine learning software, essential for producing top-notch content. GeniusXR, a Montreal-based multidisciplinary content creation and development studio, brings its expertise in XR content and partners with Sony on this deployment. The Levan Center of Innovation studio installation marks Sony’s second volumetric studio venture in North America, the first being at College D’Alma in Northeast Canada.

Azad Abbasi, GeniusXR founder/CEO, says: “The Volumetric Capture Studio represents a significant leap forward in the world of immersive content creation. It opens up endless possibilities for creators and innovators across various industries. We’re dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to create immersive storytelling experiences in the metaverse. This partnership with the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation and Sony exemplifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of Virtual and Augmented Reality.”

Anthony Guidry, Sony Electronics product manager, adds: “We are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking project with the Levan Center of Innovation and GeniusXR. VCS is a testament to our dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity, and this partnership allows us to expand the horizons of how this transformative technology can be used.”

The Volumetric Capture Studio within the Levan Center of Innovation features a 5-meter diameter dome equipped with 75 Sony RX0 II 1” (1.0-type) sensor ultra-compact 4Ki cameras and 70 lighting panels. This collaborative effort “is set to redefine how we experience immersive 3D content and is one of the only two community-accessible studios of its kind in North America.”

“The Levan Center of Innovation is committed to driving innovation and entrepreneurship in South Florida and beyond,” says John Wensveen, Ph.D., chief innovation officer of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Executive Director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation. “This Volumetric Capture Studio is a flagship project that embodies our dedication to fostering breakthrough ideation, technology, and entrepreneurship. This studio serves as a pilot for exploring the vast potential of volumetric technology, enabling us to create a talent skills pipeline, drive company formation, and contribute to job creation in the region.”

The primary goal of the Volumetric Capture Studio is to extend the use and adoption of volumetric video capturing technology. This pilot program will pave the way for innovative applications in fields such as education, health care, engineering and more.

In addition to expanding the use of this transformative technology, the partnership between the Levan Center of Innovation and Sony aims to create training certifications that will equip individuals and professionals with the skills to harness the full potential of VCS.

The Volumetric Capture Suite comprises a capture rig, capture software, and render software to film a subject and process and render out a selected segment to produce the set of files required to create, edit, and manipulate volumetric assets. The user guide provides capture best practices and instructions on how to operate the software to perform a capture through delivery of the final model.

NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center of Innovation) is a public-private partnership between Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Broward County, Fla.