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Insta360 One X and Ricoh Theta V can now create Matterport tours

Create Matterport 3D tours with Insta360 One X and Ricoh Theta V

 

You can now create Matterport 3D virtual tours using the affordable Insta360 One X ($399 with free invisible selfie stick; reviewed here) or Ricoh Theta V ($399, reviewed here) instead of a $2,495 or $3,395 Matterport camera!  

Matterport is a 3D virtual tour platform that has been using scanning cameras with depth mapping capability to create 3D virtual tours since 2014.  Here is a sample Matterport tour:

Now, Matterport has developed new capabilities for its cloud technology with improved AI-powered image processing called Cortex, which now has the capability to construct 3D models from two-dimensional 360 photos.  According to Matterport’s CEO RJ Pittman, “Cortex has trained on billions of 3D data points captured in Matterport Cloud to construct stunning Matterport 3D models from two-dimensional images captured with spherical lens cameras, commonly known as 360 cameras.”

How to use Insta360 One X or Ricoh Theta V for Matterport 3D tour

With Matterport’s app, users can create virtual tours automatically simply by uploading 360 photos to the Matterport cloud.  The virtual tours have depth information, and users will be able to see a 3D dollhouse view.  However, unlike Matterport cameras that use a depth scanner to add the depth information, Matterport will use computer vision to add depth to the Ricoh Theta V or Insta360 One X’s photos.   (I don’t have a sample yet of a Matterport tour created with the One X or Theta V but I’ll update this post when one becomes available.)

Matterport is also introducing a new $9.99 “Starter” subscription for supported 360 cameras beginning in March 2019.  By comparison, the regular Matterport subscription is $49 to $149 per month.  You can request access now at matterport.com/register.  Matterport has also decreased the price of its scanning cameras, now starting at $1,995.

Meanwhile, Insta360 is also working on adding integration with other virtual tour platforms such as Kuula and Matterport competitor Cupix.

Here are the press releases from Matterport and Insta360.  First, the press release from Matterport:

Company’s AI-powered image-processing software creates dynamic 3D experiences from third-party 360-degree cameras

SUNNYVALE, Calif. and NEW YORK – Jan. 28, 2019 – Matterport, the world leader in 3D capture technology and data, today unveiled Matterport Cloud 3.0, a subscription-based platform that puts 3D capture in the hands of businesses and individuals worldwide. The company’s new cloud software platform enhances the power of Matterport’s flagship Pro2 camera, and enables new users to transform panoramic and 360-degree imagery from spherical lens cameras into Matterport 3D – fully immersive 3D models.

A breakthrough in its category, these new capabilities in 3D capture are made possible by the advancements in Matterport’s AI-powered image-processing technology, known as Cortex. Cortex is trained on Matterport’s world-leading dataset comprising billions of 3D data points, and can construct stunning 3D models from two-dimensional images captured with spherical lens cameras, including Ricoh Theta V and Insta360™ ONE X.

This new class of cameras, which start at under $400, provides a low-cost, entry-level solution for the capture, creation and publishing of 3D experiences. Matterport Cloud 3.0 expands Matterport’s ecosystem of professional 3D capture – adding to Matterport’s Pro2 camera line and the Leica Geosystems BLK360 laser scanner – making its revolutionary 3D experiences accessible to a significantly wider market. The new offering is for customers who don’t require the accuracy, performance and image quality of Matterport’s professional products.

RJ Pittman, CEO of Matterport, stated: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Matterport, our customers, partners and service providers. With Matterport Cloud 3.0 and Cortex, we are taking an important step in our evolution to better serve new and existing customers and partners with more choices to get started and grow with 3D capture. The power of our new software platform brings us one step closer to camera ubiquity. The versatility enables us to deliver a compelling entry-level solution for simple, smaller projects, while we continue to innovate and extend our industry-leading Pro2 capture experience for professional users.”

In addition to these important advancements for Matterport Cloud 3.0, the company is committed to thoughtfully opening up the platform to the broader developer community starting this year. This will bring an entirely new suite of functionality to Matterport’s customers for both new and existing 3D spaces.

Pittman added: “Matterport introduced the category of 3D capture for the built environment and created a market that revolutionized the real estate and construction industries. Looking forward, our newly expanded capture ecosystem and increased focus on Matterport Cloud unlocks our strategy to accelerate innovation, and deliver new features and functionality that our customers need. This includes important third-party integrations that our customers, partners and developers have only begun to imagine.”

Matterport Cloud 3.0 Highlights

Cortex, Matterport’s industry-leading AI engine, has the unique ability to transform 360-degree images from spherical cameras into immersive 3D experiences using machine learning algorithms based on Matterport’s unique dataset comprising billions of 3D data points.

Cortex includes three-dimensional intelligence that can understand objects, rooms and the detailed characteristics of a space; automatically choose well-composed photos; and label specific rooms on a floor plan.

Matterport 3.0 Updates

Workshop 3.0 – Matterport’s core image editing environment now has a more intuitive user interface and better organization of features and controls.

Showcase 3.0 & SDK – Released with dramatic increases in both speed and performance, especially when rendering large-scale 3D models.

Capture App 3 – Matterport’s all-new version of its 3D capture app (in beta) now runs on both iPhone and iPad to seamlessly guide and manage the 3D scanning and uploading process across all compatible hardware devices. It includes user interface enhancements based on feedback from existing customers as well as many other speed and performance improvements.

Availability and Pricing
Software updates
Matterport’s new suite of 3.0 software: Cloud, Workshop, Showcase and Capture, are all available to Matterport’s existing customers in beta starting today.

Subscription pricing and early access for third-party 360 camera owners 
Matterport will be releasing a new feature-packed free trial option and a $9.99 “Starter” subscription tier for supported 360 cameras beginning in March 2019. Early adopters and existing users of supported 360 cameras can request access now at matterport.com/register.

Pro 2 camera launch promotion
Pro 2 and Pro 2 Lite cameras will be available at a discounted price for a limited time in celebration of the major announcements this week. The following pricing will take effect, starting today:

Pro2 3D Camera – Originally $3,395, will be available for $2,995

Pro2 Lite 3D Camera – Originally $2,495, will be available for $1,995

About Matterport
Matterport is the world leader in immersive 3D technology, offering a platform for prosumers and professionals to easily capture, edit and share 3D models of physical spaces. These navigable virtual tours are presented in Matterport’s proprietary photo-realistic digital media format. Experience places through Matterport’s interactive 3D models online as if you are actually there: matterport.com/gallery.

Here is the press release from Insta360:

Insta360 Partners with Matterport to Reinvent Virtual Tour Production

New York City – Leading 360-degree camera maker Insta360 and pioneering virtual tour platform Matterport today announced a new partnership that makes virtual tour creation easier than ever.

The partnership lets virtual tour creators quickly capture a property in 360 degrees using the Insta360 ONE X camera, and then use Matterport’s software to create an interactive 3D floor plan and walkthrough, complete with depth and square footage data. The upshot is that pro-quality virtual tours can now be achieved by anyone, using Insta360’s run-and-gun flagship camera.

The new partnership comes as part of Insta360’s increasing focus on the growing enterprise market for 360 cameras, which includes the launch of a new page highlighting 360 enterprise applications. Insta360 also announced upcoming integrations with a range of other popular virtual tour platforms, including iStaging, immoviewer, Cupix, VPiX, Kuula.

Michael Shabun, Insta360’s Directory of Marketing, North America, said that Insta360’s goal is to become the premiere camera choice for virtual tour creators in the real estate, hospitality and tourism industries.  

The Matterport integration is currently in beta, with public release planned for March.

How It Works

Creating a virtual tour with Matterport and the Insta360 ONE X couldn’t be easier. After arriving at a property, creators connect to the ONE X via Matterport’s mobile app.

Then, they simply follow the steps provided by the app as they capture 360-degree photos at key locations throughout the property. With the ONE X, all it takes is a single tap to capture a seamless 360-degree photo, and the camera’s 18MP resolution and automatic HDR mode make it perfect for interior photography.

Once every room has been covered, creators can upload their photos to the cloud, and their content will be automatically converted into one of Matterport’s signature interactive 3D spaces, including depth and area measurements. The resulting virtual tour can be easily shared or added to a real estate listing.

Creating virtual tours brings an immediate benefit to real estate professionals. A study from realtors.com showed that listings with virtual tours get 87 percent more views than those without, while another study from apartments.com showed that they generate 49 percent more qualified leads.

The Insta360 ONE X costs $399.95 and is available today at Insta360.com, Apple.com, the Apple Store, Amazon and other select retailers worldwide.

About Insta360
Insta360 makes innovative cameras that get the whole world in frame. Lightweight and versatile, they’re great for adventure sports, travel, journalism, live events, and for sharing experiences everywhere.

 

About the author

Mic Ty

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    • sure, and cupix too. But Matterport is much more well known, and has an excellent implementation of a 3d virtual tour, imho.

    • indeed! i think it was a smart move for Matterport to recognize the inevitable instead of trying to protect the sales of their $$$$ cameras

    • Hi Jon well it is monoscopic but i believe matterport builds a 3d model for it, which is why they can show it in dollhouse view. But i don’t know how detailed the 3d model is.

  • I believe that in the long term, Matterport will decline, because its closed system of cameras, software and cloud, will be surpassed by the more affordable 360 ​​cameras for the pocket of the common people, this “update” and “low prices” from their cameras, they only show that the market is choosing more democratic solutions, and they can not keep them because of their high costs.

    • i believe you are right. But Matterport does have a nice 3D interface. That could be a unique selling point, especially or high end virtual tours.

    • I think thats why the ceo decided to open the system to 360 cameras which he realized is the future of this industry

  • 360 cameras are being used in business in a bunch of interesting ways. Adding 3D site mapping to 360 images is really cool. I think “good enough” is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a smart way to spend your money in many situations. The RICOH THETA camera mentioned in the release is used widely in construction, real estate, law enforcement and many more industries. In part due to its open architecture that allows businesses to fully customize it to fit their specific workflow. And in part cause it’s “good enough” and saves them lots of money, especially with large deployments of 10s or 100s of THETAs at a time. I think Matterport’s customers have spoken, they can see that in some (many?) situations, the lower cost 360 cameras are “good enough.”