KDDI to launch Visual Search in Japan

KDDI have announced plans to integrate Bandai’s visual search app ‘ER Search’ into their Spring line of ‘Au’ mobile handsets.

Bandai’s search app ues Evolution Robotic’s ViPR technology to allow users to perform internet searches based on the content of camerphone photos.

For example, you could take a photo of a poster advertising a film and the software could bring up local cinema times or the movie’s IMDB listing.

Evolution Robotics have a video demo up on YouTube which is worth a look. It is rather depressingly focused purely on snapping photos of products (CDs, DVDs, etc.) and showing how easy it is to then buy them. A good way to attract investors, but a bit joyless. Cool tech, though.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COqGIM5dkXw[/youtube]

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