Professional weather application launched by a subsidiary of Shimadzu for a 3D overview of rainfall

The weather augmented reality (AR) application, "Amemil," which provides users with real-time rainfall information in a 3D space, by Shimadzu Business Systems (SBS, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City), a provider of weather forecasting and other services, is now available in Apple Vision Pro, Apple's first 3D camera (spatial computer) launched in Japan in June. Apple Vision Pro has two ultrahigh-resolution displays. Aiming to expand its business in the field of the 3D space and metaverse (virtual space) of weather information, SBS has now launched the Apple Vision Pro version of "Amemil", which was previously available on the iPhone.

SBS was established in 1999 as a subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation. As the Japan Meteorological Agency's forecasting business licensee No. 65, the company provides weather information using its own AR and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The company's smartphone weather forecasting applications include "Otenki JAPAN," "Amemil," "Weather Clock," and "Harehosu." The Apple Vision Pro version of "Amemil" is an application that provides users with real-time rainfall information in a 3D space, taking full advantage of the capabilities of spatial computers.

The application includes two functions: "Rain Map" and "Satellite Eye." Rain Map uses AI to inform users of approaching rain clouds and displays a 250-m mesh of high-resolution rainfall data for all of Japan. If you place a rain map in the 3D space in the Apple Vision Pro's window mode, you can always check the latest rain cloud conditions. The Satellite Eye displays a three-dimensional map of Japan overlaid with cloud images from the Himawari meteorological satellite, rainfall observed by the Amedas regional meteorological observation system, and animations of lightning observations. The high-resolution graphics unique to Apple Vision Pro make the experience of observing such information to be viewing rainfall conditions across Japan from a satellite. This Apple Vision Pro version of "Amemil" is available for free download from the App Store.

The company plans to add functions for iOS and visionOS that allow users to experience weather phenomena in a more intuitive way and to develop and provide content useful not only for daily life but also for disaster prevention.