VoicePing picks Vonage to power VR travel, office

Image courtesy of Travel DX

Virtual office tools provider VoicePing chose the Vonage Video API to power innovative virtual reality (VR) travel experiences via its Dokodemo (Anywhere) Door Trip service. 

The service uses 360° photography and video, as well as VR goggles and a computer, to enable users to enjoy virtual travel as if they were there in real life. 

VoicePing is a Japan-based start-up company established in 2019 and focused on developing and providing intuitive, realistic virtual experiences, including virtual office environments. 

As demand for immersive digital experiences grows, VoicePing is actively developing a variety of VR-related services through a capital and business alliance with MetaReal, whose subsidiary Travel DX operates Dokodemo Door Trip.

Using the Vonage Video API, VoicePing built a VR travel service that enables overwhelmingly realistic video playback, two-way voice communication, and automatic AI translation.

VoicePing project manager Kei Shimizu said they chose Vonage to develop the video function within their advanced VR experiences because Vonage provides high-quality video and audio, is easily implemented and operated within their applications, and has global reach and scale to grow as user adoption grows around the world.

“The pandemic has greatly restricted the ability to travel and experience new countries and cultures, and caused a major shift in the way we engage with one another,” said Amitha Pulijala, Vonage VP of product, platform services, AI and video.

“As more and more experiences become virtual, demand continues to increase for experiences that rival in-person interaction,” said Pulijala.

Virtual travelers can take advantage of Dokodemo Door Trip experiences through either GuideMeetup, which allows users to experience a trip while talking with a local guide in real time, alongside 360° VR images captured by the local guide, or by using the WorldRambler service, which enables users to freely tour each country without a local guide. 

A key feature of the GuideMeetup service driven by the Video API is that travelers are not only able to enjoy the visuals of a location, but can also have a real-time conversation and interaction with the local guide.

In addition to Dokodemo Door Trip, VoicePing and MetaReal are developing a variety of VR services powered by the Vonage Video API, including Dokodemo Door Party, which creates a realistic karaoke experience; VR Therapy, which allows users to experience therapy in a virtual space; and VR Music, a live music distribution service.