Re/Code
GoPro CEO reveals the future of GoPro at the Code conference. Capturing video for Virtual Reality is the next frontier for GoPro.
Nick Woodman, CEO of GoPro revealed the next frontier for GoPro. Capturing video for virtual reality is coming in the shape of a six-camera spherical array. The sphere-shaped camera mount can hold 6 Hero4 cameras positioned in different directions to capture HD images and video for virtual reality consumption using for instance a Oculus Rift.
The videos captured by the six cameras are processed using Kolor, the virtual reality software company GoPro bought last month. Kolor creates unified 6K spherical image. The virtual reality GoPro videos let viewers turn in any direction to see all angles of a downhill race or base jump.
The GoPro virtual reality videos will also be viewable on mobile devices using the Kolor app or Youtube 360. Below is a demo video that Woodman made at the Code conference with the VR mount. The video is rendered in the Youtube 360 player.
The GoPro 6 Camera Spherical Array will go on sale in the second half of this year. There is no pricing yet on the VR video capture system.
Nick Woodman also revealed at the Code conference that GoPro is developing a camera drone for consumers. The GoPro quadcopter is planed to be released in the first half of 2016.