Tomohiro Ohno: The Visionary Behind Kudan Inc. And Augmented Reality's Future

Like many people, Tomohiro Ohno had no idea what he wanted to do when he graduated from college in Japan. What he did know, though, was that he did not want to work for a traditional company. Ohno's journey led him to become a pioneer in the field of augmented reality, founding Kudan Inc., a company focused on giving computers human-like vision through computer vision algorithms.

In December, Kudan made a remarkable debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with its stock price skyrocketing more than six-fold by the end of February. This meteoric rise marked a significant achievement for Ohno, whose net worth reached approximately $800 million at its peak. Despite fluctuations in the stock price, Kudan's market value currently stands at around $1.3 billion, with Ohno owning over half the shares. Interestingly, the 49-year-old views his wealth as inconsequential, stating in a recent interview, "It's a ridiculous amount. That doesn't mean anything. We're not aiming to increase market value. It doesn't really impact us."

When people think of augmented reality, titles like Pokémon Go often come to mind, but Ohno emphasizes that AR is far more than just games. His technology allows for the development of programs that understand and interact with real-world objects in three dimensions. This innovation can be applied in various fields, including driverless cars, drones, and even household robots like Roombas. By integrating artificial intelligence with augmented reality, Ohno envisions a future where technology can see and think, creating a seamless interaction between the two.

Biography of Tomohiro Ohno

Key Takeaways from Tomohiro Ohno's Journey

These days, Ohno is focusing on expanding his business and establishing an office in China. Kudan currently operates with a small team of fewer than 20 employees, most of whom hold Ph.D. degrees from the University of Bristol. The company operates out of a former church, where Ohno enjoys his unique office environment. Despite plans to grow internationally, he has no intention of leaving his cherished workspace in the UK.

As the augmented reality landscape continues to evolve, Ohno's vision and dedication place him at the forefront of this technological revolution. His commitment to blending AI with AR will undoubtedly shape how we interact with technology in our daily lives. With the potential for applications in various industries, the future is bright for Kudan and its innovative approach to augmented reality.