Verdione is a collaborative research project that aims to develop robust video processing and dependable networking support for a world-wide mixed-reality stage at the World Opera. Our technologies will enable singers and musicians to enact a joint opera performance across different geographical locations, where remote actors are virtually embedded into the local stage environment. The main challenge is to ensure that remote virtual and local physical realities are tightly coupled. We achieve this by controlled ultra-low latency, stable media synchronisation and a supreme audio-visual quality. Beyond arts performances our research results will be applicable in many other areas.

Verdione started on 1st of July, 2008. Duration of the project is 4 years and there are 5 participants from Norway. Partners are Simula Research Laboratory, University of Oslo, University of Tromsø, Telenor and Lividi. Verdione is one of only four StorIKT (large ICT) projects that are funded by the Norwegian Research Council. 24 mio NOK were granted for the first four years of the project, but StorIKT projects can be granted a three-year extension. The project is expected to fund 2 PostDocs and 7 PhD students.