RICOH to hold the RICOH THETA Dream and Build Contest:

TOKYO, March 20, 2019 - RICOH COMPANY, LTD. will hold an open-application contest for the creation of new applications for RICOH THETA-series 360-degree cameras. This competition is being created to encourage the development of new plug-in software, by calling for innovative, flexible ideas from designers around the world. Entries will be accepted from March 20 to July 23, 2019 (Pacific Standard Time).

The original RICOH THETA model was introduced in 2013 as the world's first 360-degree camera^*. Because of its ability to capture 360-degree images, it will provide a wide range of applications in various fields — a new imaging device with tremendous potential for today's Internet of Things (IoT) society. In 2014, RICOH publicly released the Application Program Interface (API) and Software Development Kit (SDK) — used to interface THETA-series products with smartphones — to assist outside designers, both companies and individuals, in their software development. RICOH has already held two contests to gather new ideas from around the world, and, ultimately, to further expand the possibilities of 360-degree cameras.

The RICOH THETA V (launched in 2017) and the latest model, the RICOH THETA Z1 (which records high-quality, high-resolution 360-degree still images at approximately 23.0 effective megapixels) both incorporate an Android™-based operating system (OS) to enhance their expandability. Since they operate on applications developed for use with Android models, users can more easily and flexibly customize camera operations, from business-oriented functions specific to particular industries, to unique, creative functions more focused on personal use. Development of these applications, or plug-ins, has been encouraged since 2018, following the introduction of the RICOH THETA Plug-in Partner Program and the opening of the RICOH THETA Plug-in Store, where users can download plug-ins.

The new contest invites software designers from around the world to apply their creativity in developing new plug-ins for RICOH THETA-series models. Entries will be judged in four categories: Most Innovative to evaluate innovation value; Most Practical, to evaluate practicality; Most Inspiring to evaluable originality; and Judge's Freestyle Favorite, in which each judge can express their own preference. The top three winners in each category will be awarded prizes such as the latest VR headset cameras, drones, tablet computers and gift cards. The RICOH THETA V will be provided free of charge to the top 10 participants who don't currently own a RICOH THETA-series model. Whether a user of a RICOH THETA-series model or not, every software designer is encouraged to join the contest and try out their ideas and design skills.

Details of this contest are described below:

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The first mass-produced consumer product capable of capturing the scene around, above and below the device, including the photographer, in a fully spherical image (as of October 2013, based on RICOH research).