airbnb to roll out 3D Virtual Tours
The immersive media technology company, which last year raised a hefty $30 million to further develop its 3D virtual tours, has already worked with a number of other companies in the hospitality industry to create 360 degree videos, including Princess Cruises, Viceroy Hotels, and Wyndham Vacation Rentals. The technology has been successful thus far in increasing customer confidence in rental locations and is becoming increasingly popular. And, as Oren J. Tversky, Matterport’s Vice President of Business Development, explains, the success of their technology within the real estate industry shows how easily the technology could be used on a larger scale, to capture even thousands of rental or apartment spaces.
The pilot, which was launched in July of 2016, was geared towards a number of popular and highly rated accommodation listings in the Sonoma, California area. What will set the selected Sonoma properties apart from Airbnb’s regular listings is an Instant Booking option, a 24 hour check-in, and even some local amenities from the host, which include such bonuses as complementary wine, luxury bath products, and a guidebook. Most excitingly, however, will be the introduction of virtual 3D models of the listed properties, which can be viewed through your browser or even through virtual reality devices like Google Cardboard and Oculus Rift.
SOURCE : 3ders.org