Oppo demos world’s first 5G 3D video call, expect phones by early 2019

OPPO Global Research Institute has announced as the company successfully demonstrated the World’s First 5G Video Call Demo using 3D Structured Light Technology.

The development follows a collaboration between Chinese camera phone maker OPPO and the famous chipmaker Qualcomm. It promises a live 3D video call using a depth-sensing camera and a 5G modem/network.

OPPO and Qualcomm demonstrated a live 5G video call using 3D structured light technology. The demo utilized a customized OPPO R11s with integrated structured light camera (aka depth-sensing camera). The process collected the color and 3D depth information of the target object by using RGB and the structured light camera of the phone. This information, transmitted under a 5G environment, finally displayed the target object in a remote display screen.

In general, the demo reproduced a 3D portrait image on a remote receiver using portrait information collected structured-light 3D camera of an OPPO phone and 5G NR terminal prototypes from Qualcomm Technologies. The success of this innovative technology demo marks a milestone in applying 5G technology standards to real practices in the industry and facilitates the exploration of new application in the 5G era.

Featuring the high speed (eMBB), large capacity (mMTC), and low-latency (URLLC), the 5G technology is considered as a new start of mobile telecommunication of industry. As early as the standardization and the maturity of the eMBB, OPPO is to integrate the 5G network with other new imaging and sensor technologies, and to realize the core user scenarios with Ubiquitous Reality, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Joint Reality.

OPPO plans to include its 3D structured light camera and 3D video calling features in its first 5G smartphone. Even interesting thing is that the company believes to bring up one such smartphone to market in early early 2019.

Tang Hai, Director of Standardization Research Group of OPPO Research Institute, said:

“OPPO engaged in 5G research and development as early as 3 years ago, and has been actively participating in the international standardization to develop 5G products. In January 2018, we announced the 5G pilot program with Qualcomm Technologies, and are dedicated to becoming the first smartphone manufacturers to launch 5G handsets in 2019. “

Chen Yan, the Director of Software Research Group of OPPO Research Institute, said:

“Mobile internet is blurring the boundary between the physical world and digital world, while 3D content will be a factor to further improve the immersive user experience. With imaging technology and a unique insight into the needs of our users, OPPO commits to provide innovative application scenarios in the future. By utilizing 3D structured light technology, users will be provided unprecedented mobile experience and possibilities such as Secure Payment, 3D Reconstruction, AR and Gaming, etc.”

Bai Jian, the Director of Hardware Research Center of OPPO Research Institute, said in a press statement:

“The success of the 5G video call utilizing 3D structure light technology demonstrates our innovation direction powered by the understanding of users’ need and cutting-edge technology. OPPO will commercialize the application of 3D structured light technology in smartphones and bring the groundbreaking technology to our customers in approximately 6 months. “