Vkontakte (VK), Russia’s leading social network, has launched an open AR platform that enables users to create their own interactive masks.
“Unlike other social networks where you can only choose from a ready-made pack provided by developers, VK masks can be created by anyone and uploaded to the VKmasks community,” stated Mail.Ru Group, the Russian Internet group which owns VK.
After uploading a mask, users may put it on, or share it with other VK users. After moderator oversight, the mask will be displayed in the VK catalog for anyone to use.
The platform was developed with the support of Mail.Ru Group’s computer vision team.
“The VK Masks open AR platform enables users to bring their ideas to life and build their own masks based on their favorite characters or hot memes. We will support contributors and update the catalog on a regular basis to make the best works available to millions of users,” says Oleg Illarionov, Head of Product at VK.
In 2017, hundreds of designers, animation professionals, and 3D artists participated in the VK Masks Contest. Selected works created during the contest are displayed in the catalog and available via VK mobile apps.
