A startup from Taiwan forays into the Middle East to capitalize on the opportunities for smart city [Central Daily News Article]

2017/2/9
       iStaging is a startup from Taiwan that specializes in AR and VR platforms. The company offers realistic visual experiences for industries such as real estate and interior design. With the assistance from the Committee of Accelerating Mobile Broadband Service and Industry Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs in the implementation of the “iStaging Smart City Project”, the company proactively sought overseas expansion. In spring of 2017, iStaging had its first bit of good news – the company will foray into the Middle East and deliver AR VR platform services in order to present a new vision of smart city in Middle East through the provision of immersive experiences, thereby showcasing to the rest of the world Taiwan’s capabilities in relevant software development. In addition, iStaging has also foreseen the potentials of VR panorama and will be launching its VRCAM 2.0 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) to be held in Europe later this year (2017). The iStaging VRCAM app will enable users to create VR contents and panoramas on their smartphones within a matter of seconds using the pictures they have just taken. For instance, a real estate agent will be able to use the app and Line to share a panoramic VR view of a house on sale with his clients. The iStaging VRCAM app is targeted at real estate agents (over 100,000) around the world. Not only that, the application of VRCAM will also be expanded to cover other industries such as design, culture, tourism, and so forth.
       Saudi Arabia is not only that largest construction and real estate market in the Middle East but also one of the fastest growing construction and real estate markets in the world. Coupled with the fact that the 2020 World’s Fair will be held in Dubai and that Qatar will be hosting the 2022 World Cup that will undoubtedly boost the local real estate market, it is apparent that the next wave of technology trend for the next decade in the Middle East will involve the construction of smart city infrastructure and AR VR experience services. Thanks to the active assistance from the Industry Development Augmentation Division (IDAD) and International Division (ID) of III, iStaging was able to expand and take advantage of potential overseas collaboration opportunities through matchmaking. According to iStaging, “We have set our vision on the potential of development in the Middle Eastern market and have partnered with renowned urban consultancy IMAR in Saudi Arabia in a strategic alliance to develop the local market. Hopefully our AR and VR solutions will provide new driving forces for architecture and urban design in the Middle East, especially for sectors such as real estate development, realty, interior design and furniture manufacturing.”
       VR simulation seems to remain at its same popularity in 2017 and has led to an emerging trend for 360-degree on-location shooting. The resulting images not only revolutionized users’ visual experience but also brought more impact and sense of realism to the images. Although typical VR cameras in the market go around for more than NT$ 10,000, one can easy make his own 360-degree VR panoramas without having to make such a hefty investment. iStaging VRCAM2.0 app has been scheduled for official launch in March and with the app, anyone will be able to enjoy the process of creating VR panoramas with their smartphone! “VRCAM 2.0” offers incredible value with a minimum monthly subscription fee at NT$ 0 for corporate clients. Based on the impressive growth in iStaging’s global subscribers, the company is expecting to achieve the target of having 100,000 real estate agent subscribers around the world this year.

左istaging CEO右IMAR CEO