Virtual extreme sports in a calendar

Innovation is at the heart of the Gasan Mamo Insurance 2013 calendar, which has been printed in the same way over the last two years, with the exception of a scannable QR code. Users can now scan the images with their smartphones or tablets to dive into a world of augmented reality, the company said.

The calendar makes use of augmented reality systems with a live and direct view of a real world environment with elements augmented by computer-generated sensory input with sounds, video and graphics. The application uses Junaio, the most advanced mobile augmented reality browser app which can be downloaded for free.

On scanning the image, the application immediately decodes the information found within the image, locates the respective animation in the cloud and brings up an augmented layer above the image to the user, with the static image quickly transforming into a virtual experience.

The application and underlying technology is compatible with most Android devices and with the iPhone and iPad. The scannable calendar was developed by MPS Marketing Communications, in conjunction with Anchovy Studios.

“Augmented reality technology was floating around our office for quite a while,” MPS creative director Alan Paris said. “It was a matter of time until we found the right application for it. The calendar was just that. This is what we do. We integrate media to provide a more outstanding result.”

Anchovy Studios’ Zak Borg underlined how Gasan Mamo Insurance’s augmented calendar is at the forefront of digital technology. The calendar is a unique interactive augmented reality experience overlaid on the printed calendar, through which a unique ‘extreme sport’ is uncovered every two months.

“Next time you come across a Gasan Mamo calendar, whip out your smart phone, scan one of the images, and get ready for some extreme sports!” he said.

Instructions on how to use the calendar are available at www.youtube.com by searching for ‘GasanMamo Calendar 2013’.