As extended reality (XR) devices such as Apple’s Vision Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy XR, Meta’s Quest and Meta Ray-Bans are released one after another, the market for next-generation wearable devices is starting to take shape in earnest.

Many devices are being launched, but the biggest task constraining XR adoption is a lack of content. A startup has developed a service that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically convert existing 2D video content into 3D XR content to address the issue.

Imagineus, led by CEO Kim Jin-sung (김진성), has launched HOLODEO, a service that turns 2D video content into 3D XR content with a single button press after uploading it to a platform. Kim said, "XR is clearly an innovative technology that will change the lives of future humanity." He added, "The current challenge is not technology but popularization, and the key is a rich supply of content."

◆HOLODEO automatically converts 2D content into 3D

XR is a concept that includes technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR). XR devices are next-generation devices that allow users to watch content in a virtual 3D space 펼쳐지는 in front of their eyes.

Imagineus has developed various XR services, including AR solutions, VR solutions, XR solutions and AI metaverse offerings. It is currently focused on developing services that can supply a range of XR content, including AI features.

The newly developed core service is HOLODEO. When users upload existing 2D video content such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram Reels to the service, AI automatically converts it into 3D XR content. Users can watch and share it in 3D without separate production or editing.

Kim explained that he developed HOLODEO after drawing inspiration from a "depth inference AI model" used in self-driving cars. A depth inference model is a technology that infers depth and distance from flat images. When applied to video, it infers depth from existing 2D footage and then shifts images left and right to match the distance between the eyes, allowing 3D viewing.

An advantage of Imagineus’ service is that it can address shortcomings of several XR content platforms currently in operation. XR content platforms are emerging globally, but their biggest drawback is a lack of content. Imagineus says HOLODEO’s automatic conversion function allows it to distribute a variety of popular content quickly.

Kim said, "The biggest problem in activating XR right now is the high entry barrier for content production." He said producing 3D content separately requires equipment costing tens of millions of won and production costs running into hundreds of millions of won. Kim added that automatic conversion through HOLODEO can solve the problem of a content shortage.

External assessments of the service are also positive. Imagineus was selected for the 2025 Startup-Centered University program, supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Entrepreneurship Foundation and hosted by Hanyang University, and was evaluated as an excellent company.

◆Service upgrade planned on expectations of XR becoming mainstream

The XR market is in an early stage. Various XR devices such as Apple’s Vision Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy XR, Meta’s Quest and Meta’s Ray-Bans have been released, but the number of users is still not large.

Imagineus has a positive view of the future of XR technology. Kim said, "Following smartphones and smartwatches, glasses - namely smart glasses and XR glasses - will become the wearable devices of the next era." He also said, "In 3 years, 5 years, many people will use these devices in daily life."

Imagineus’ mid- to long-term vision is clear. It aims to lead the popularization of the XR industry by rapidly supplying good content in the early stage. Kim said, "Our vision is to enable many people to use these devices in daily life in the mid to long term and to live convenient lives through various functions such as AI."