Verizon and Snap –owner of Snapchat — have launched the second Landmarker Lens augmented reality (AR) experience. End users with 5G phones can open Snapchat and use a Landmarker lens at the site of a famous mural in Venice Beach, California to see the mural appear to come alive in augmented reality.
Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband connectivity underlies the lens, according to a press release.
The mural, which was painted by Louis Masai, is located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach and focuses on a cougar known as P-22 who crossed two of Los Angeles’ eight-lane freeways in search of a new home almost a decade ago. The incident sparked a movement to build a wildlife crossing over a 10-lane freeway that has raised more than $19.2 million. Construction is set to being this fall.
Those using the Verizon Snapchat augmented reality technology will see an AR presentation of P-22 breaking free from the wall and crossing a land bridge to reunite with his mate. The Snapchat users can tap a prompt to learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s #SaveLACougars campaign and visit the campaign’s website.
“The Abbot Kinney Landmarker Lens is yet another illustration of the vast array of consumer experiences offered by the combination of augmented reality and 5G built right,” Erin McPherson, Verizon’s Head of Content Partnerships, said in a press release. “The Lens allows us to use tech for good by showcasing the work of a talented independent artist while bringing awareness to the environmental cause of wildlife conservation.”
For those who can’t make it to Venice Beach to use the Landmarker lens, Verizon and Snap noted that they also offer 4G and 5G “Worldview Lenses” for those “who want to learn more about the cause.” The Worldview Lens can be accessed using a Snapcode included with the press release, Verizon and Snap said.
Verizon and Snap donated $150,000 to the #SaveLACougars campaign to help fulfill the goal of building 101 freeway wildlife crossings.
The Landmarker project was announced on November 21, 2019. Almost exactly a year later, Verizon and Snap introduced the platform with a performance by the Black Pumas at the New York City Public Library.
Joan Engebretson contributed to this report
