AR helps panda to a wide audience

As the torch of the Chengdu FISU World University Games was extinguished on Aug 8 in the Sichuan provincial capital, Rongbao's reign as panda mascot du jour came to an end.

But pandas are resilient. Beyond Hua Hua, Chengdu's most renowned giant panda, another panda has recently taken center stage — Beibei, the anchor of the show Panda Wandering.

With its endearing round ears and mango-shaped eyes, Beibei, the augmented reality-powered panda presenter, has captivated the audience's imagination. Possessing a delightful sense of humor and the ability to dance, Beibei is a polyglot, fluently conversing in English, Mandarin, and even the Sichuan dialect.

"I'm 7 years old, equal to 29 in human years. This is my first time as a TV host," Beibei proudly proclaimed during the show's premiere on June 30. The show employs an innovative format, pairing Beibei with an English-speaking female presenter.

With the slogan "Panda wandering, world in eyes", the show, which airs on Friday nights, stands as a groundbreaking magazine-style program on Sichuan Satellite TV. It masterfully intertwines reality and fiction, delivering a bilingual experience in both Chinese and English.

Through its unique perspective, the show reveals a globally connected Sichuan and offers a multifaceted depiction of China. It achieves this by illuminating the magnificence of life in Sichuan, the intricate tapestry of its cultural and geographical diversity, and the dynamic exchanges it enjoys on the international stage.

The show garnered immediate online attention upon its broadcast, with topics such as "Sichuan People Enlist Panda as Anchor", "What's the Panda Version of Anchor Up To", and "Noteworthy Personalities in the Panda Realm" capturing widespread interest. These discussions quickly rose to prominence within trending conversations on platforms like Weibo and Douyin.

According to Bai Xia, deputy director of Sichuan TV, Beibei can be a bit of a "wild child", enjoying friendly interactions with panda enthusiasts. "Beibei's favorite treats are sugarcane and sweet potatoes, and he has a fondness for honey water. Having traveled the world, he is a proficient communicator," Bai says.

Beibei boasts a diverse range of talents that extend well beyond bilingual hosting, encompassing a natural aptitude for stand-up comedy. His presence isn't limited to the broadcasting realm; he's also an active contributor to numerous panda vlogs which are available online.

These vlogs offer a narrative of Beibei's fascinating journey, chronicling his venture from entering the broadcasting studio to his inaugural hosting experience. Moreover, Beibei's online dance exhibitions radiate an almost contagious zeal, coupled with a dash of humor and a magnetic charm.

According to Bai, the team has a crew of more than 40 people. She thinks the show's innovative aspect involves placing the motion-captured panda alongside the live presenter in the same physical space, enabling genuine conversations and real-time interactions, which guarantees a smooth fusion of virtual and real elements.

Liu Tong, the producer, explains that the show utilizes cutting-edge inertial-based motion capture technology, Xsens. This advanced system captures real-time data from multiple key points on the body through an array of precisely placed sensors.

It records intricate body and finger movements, performs meticulous analysis, and calculates the precise positioning of the human skeletal structure, resulting in seamless, real-time and high-precision full-body tracking, Liu says.

Connect to the world

Pandas are often hailed as the "diplomatic envoys" that best embody China's enduring history and vibrant culture. From Rongbao to Bing Dwen Dwen of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and the globally acclaimed members of the "giant panda family" including Ya Ya, Meng Lan, and Hua Hua — their universal appeal knows no bounds.

Pandas truly aid in the exploration of international engagement.

Bai thinks that the show embraces the distinctiveness of various countries, endeavors to foster an atmosphere of openness and acceptance, and carries forward the essence of peace through the figure and eyes of a panda.

Bai says that one highlight of the show is that it places a greater emphasis on providing foreign viewers with experiential insights and in-depth observations, going beyond the realm of breaking news and contemporaneous events.

According to Wang Jing, chief editor of the show, the foreign population in Sichuan is estimated to be approximately 30,000. They come from various walks of life, ranging from university professors to businesspeople and traders, and also include international students and restaurant owners.

Their engagement in diverse activities and gatherings often brings together people from different countries, creating a rich and multicultural atmosphere, Wang says.

The show has two sections, "panda trending" and "panda scanning". In the first segment, it takes a unique approach by delving into the highlights of international events related to Sichuan, uncovering lesser-known stories using various visual techniques, and showcases Sichuan's progress, cultural diversity and allure.

Panda scanning provides a comprehensive and authentic view of Sichuan through alternating AR presenters, as well as international perspectives, highlighting the natural, historical and culinary aspects of Sichuan.

Liu Yue, director of the show, explains that the subject choices for the panda scanning segment are meticulously curated to emphasize both "novelty" and "genuineness".

"Our intention is to present China as it stands today to the global audience, while also offering insights into the everyday lives of the people in Sichuan," Liu Yue says.

In one episode, to introduce the street renowned for zongzi, the sticky rice dumplings traditionally consumed during the Dragon Boat Festival, in Chengdu, the crew invited a British resident to acquaint himself with the story of Grandma Ma, a revered figure in the realm of crafting the handmade delicacy. The program then delves into the art of creating the mouthwatering "Seven-Star Pork Zongzi" with vendors of the snack.

Beibei has already led the audience on a captivating journey through the Western China International Fair, ventured into the Universiade venues in Chengdu, and even participated in sports like table tennis and running alongside human counterparts.

Looking ahead, Beibei's adventures will continue as he explores the picturesque landscapes of Sichuan, embarks on a quest along National Highway 318, and captures the essence of numerous iconic cultural and natural landmarks.

As the World Science Fiction Convention will be held in Chengdu in October, Liu Yue says the crew is looking forward to the show reporting on this event.

"Given that Sichuan is renowned for its diverse attractions, including pandas, its cuisine and popular tourist destinations, on this occasion, we will be aspiring to enhance its reputation as the 'city of sci-fi'," Liu Yue says.