Virtual tour technology provider Matterport is launching an app to let agents create 3D property layouts from their smartphone rather than the pricier cameras.
Matterport 3D Capture for Smartphones will be available on iPhone devices by the end of this year, with Android to follow.
The technology picks up the features of a room and objects to create 3D images with detailed characteristics.
Agents can use this service with Matterport’s starter package, which costs £7.99 a month and lets a single user upload, create and store tours.
Other packages will allow more users and offer some extra functions.
There is a professional package for up to five users at £55 per month and a business version for 20 users at £247 a month.
Agents can still use professional equipment, with pricing on third-party 360-compatible cameras such as the Ricoh Theta V starting at £340.
Alternatively, Matterport offers its Pro 2 camera for £2,830, which promises higher quality imagery.
Matterport has also announced new spatial awareness functionality that enables users to interactively measure and share the dimensions of any space – including floorplans, doorways, windows and walls – automatically.
RJ Pittman, chief executive of Matterport, said that its aim is “to digitise the entire built world”, adding: “Creating a 3D solution compatible with smartphones is a huge step towards reaching that goal.”
Comments (2)
The Theta and other 360 budget cameras are excellent at what they do for the market they are targeted at. Though there is a learning curve to achieve good results. For many agents looking to create 3D inventories/ schedule of conditions etc, these cameras are ideal but, for agents looking to create high quality, seamless tours with built-in interaction such as hyperlinks, video and maps etc, hiring a professional with the best equipment and skills makes more sense (or, buy the camera, associated kit, hosting package and employ/ train someone within your firm how to create and edit the tours).
This could be big!