- Northern Ireland immersive tech innovators awarded funding to capture Belfast stories through Augment the City competition
- Ten local tech companies funded to enhance visitor experiences in Belfast using immersive technologies
- Projects include AI, AR, haptics, and game engine tech to create interactive storytelling experiences
- Collaboration between tech companies and tourism partners to broaden voices and preserve diverse stories
- Augment the City Challenge part of XR Belfast program to support innovation and creative industries in Belfast
Augmenting Belfast Stories: Tech Innovators Securing Funding
In a bid to enhance the visitor experiences in the Belfast region, a major new funding competition was held to support ten local SMEs in innovating immersive technologies. The competition, known as Augment the City, aims to enrich the region’s tourism offerings by incorporating immersive technology to encourage the creation and sharing of individual stories by the local community. This initiative was made possible through the Belfast Region City Deal, which allocated funds to drive innovation in the creative industries sector.
Empowering Diverse Narratives Through Tech Integration
The chosen companies and entrepreneurs are tasked with collaborating with tourism partners to explore the diverse applications of immersive technologies such as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. These technologies are expected to play a crucial role in shaping future attractions in the region, including the highly anticipated Belfast Stories project. By leveraging the funding provided by Augment the City, these tech innovators have the opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver unique experiences that cater to a broad spectrum of audiences.
One of the funded companies, Hamilton Robson, plans to combine artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive tech to develop an interactive platform that delves into the city’s rich history and culture. Through this platform, users will have access to engaging content that highlights Belfast’s vibrant past in a captivating manner. Similarly, Imvizar aims to use location-based augmented reality (AR) to recreate and share the narratives of Belfast, both historical and contemporary. This initiative seeks to give a voice to anyone with a story to tell, fostering a sense of inclusivity and community engagement through immersive storytelling.
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Revolutionizing Visitor Experiences with Innovative Tech Solutions
Darin Smyth, another recipient of the funding, is set to utilize a combination of AI, Metahumans, AR, and game engine technology to create immersive experiences within interactive booths and a complementary AR guide. These experiences are designed to enhance exploratory walks around the city, encouraging users to interact with and discover its hidden stories. Aura Digital Studios, on the other hand, is focusing on empowering the deaf and hearing-impaired community to share their stories using haptics and AR technologies. Through dedicated physical spaces equipped for motion capture and mobile apps, this initiative aims to connect audiences to site-specific performances and personal narratives.
SENSEcity, another participant in the Augment the City initiative, is developing an AI-powered immersive storytelling experience that captures the diverse tapestry of Belfast’s stories. By providing storytellers with interactive tools such as 3D-printed models and smart microphones, SENSEcity offers a tactile and engaging platform for sharing personal narratives. Liquid City, on the other hand, is working on an AI-powered interviewer and curator accessible across various digital platforms, offering a unique way to explore and interact with Belfast’s stories.
Future Prospects and Continued Innovation in Immersive Tech
As the first phase of Augment the City unfolds, the selected companies are laying the groundwork for transformative experiences that blend technology with storytelling. By integrating AI, AR, and other cutting-edge technologies, these innovators are reshaping the landscape of visitor attractions and community engagement in Belfast. The upcoming second phase of the competition promises further funding for the continuation of these innovative projects, ensuring that the evolution of immersive technologies in the region remains dynamic and forward-thinking.
The Augment the City Challenge stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between the creative digital sector and tourism industry. By investing in immersive technologies and fostering innovation, Belfast is poised to offer visitors and locals alike a new lens through which to experience the city’s stories and cultural heritage. Through the efforts of these tech innovators, Belfast’s narrative is set to be augmented and enriched, creating a more vibrant and engaging destination for all.
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