Global technology brand HONOR today announced the Gateway to the Future initiative, designed to enrich cultural heritage through the power of technology. During their presentation at IFA 2022, HONOR challenged two popular artists to creatively reimagine and using augmented reality (AR) the Wasserschloss, an iconic monument situated in Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Against the backdrop of growing interest in the metaverse and hybrid tourism, the project aims to inspire global creative talent to use the innovative capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), AR and spatial audio to connect communities with the culture of a more engaging way and thereby support the recovery of global tourism as the world embraces the connected future.
“As a global technology company, HONOR is committed to developing mobile technology that allows people to celebrate and experience the cultural treasures of the past while discovering the possibilities of the future,” said George Zhao , CEO of HONOR Device Co. , Ltd . “We anticipate increasing use of AR and AI technologies to create physical-digital experiences for smartphone users around the world, thus contributing to the hybrid tourism boom. In addition to tourism, this technology has the potential to benefit a high number of sectors and communities. It is truly a gateway to the future.”
Celebrating Cultural Heritage in the Metaverse
Known for being Germany’s “Gateway to the World”, Hamburg has grown from a coastal city to a thriving metropolis by embracing a culture of community, collaboration and innovation. Drawing inspiration from the history of the city’s transformation, HONOR chose Hamburg as the pilot site for the project, with the aim of contributing to the digital cultural boom and inspiring people around the world to reimagine cultural treasures in the metaverse.
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To bring the project to life, HONOR partnered with ARLOOPA, an AR and VR development company, as well as artists Yunuene and Timo Helgert , who creatively transformed the famous Wasserschloss architectural project into AR.
Yunuene’s contribution to Gateway to the Future, entitled “Sailing Through Time” pays tribute to the evolution of the city’s port, showing how innovation in maritime logistics has transformed over time with its aesthetic exclusive look. At the same time, Timo Helgert ‘s installation “Blooming Future” takes a more futuristic approach, capitalizing on Hamburg’s status as one of the greenest cities in the world. In his work, he creatively imagines what Wasserschloss would look like in a green future where beautiful plants and endangered species could grow, taking this historic monument into a supernatural realm.
Unlocking immersive experiences through the power of AI and AR
Through these experiences, HONOR also contributes to hybrid tourism, an emerging trend following the resurgence of global tourism, in which travelers are hoping that the digital advances made during the pandemic will benefit and enhance the experiences of in-person travel. AR experiences at Wasserschloss bridge the physical and digital worlds, allowing travelers to experience the cultural experience in a whole new way. HONOR has constantly invested in technologies such as AI spatial identification, spatial audio and AR to enable enhanced immersive experiences suited to the digital revolution.
“The Warehouse District was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015 with the aim of protecting and preserving the history and culture of one of the largest commercial ports in the world. Thanks to the arrival of new technologies such as augmented reality, it is now possible to educate and engage younger generations about cultural heritage in new and exciting ways. Therefore, we are proud to be able to support HONOR’s Gateway to the Future initiative, which not only offers a celebration of the district’s importance to Germany, but also of its exciting future as a global metropolis,” said Bernd Paulowitz, director of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hamburg.
with travelers increasingly expecting a virtual part of their interactions with cultural monuments. It’s time to harness the power of technology in tourism to create magical experiences for tourists around the world,” he said.Guido Neumann , director of public relations at the Hamburg Tourist Board.
Reimagine your community with HONOR Talents
Opened as part of the HONOR Talents Global Design Awards, the Gateway to the Future project aims to inspire the world’s creative talent to harness technology and reimagine their own communities in the age of the metaverse. For the first time, HONOR Talents introduces a category dedicated to interactive AR works and is now accepting submissions of digital arts that transform local communities, including digital overlays for buildings, walls, parks and other public spaces. Artists interested in the competition can find more information at: https://www.hihonor.com/honor-talents/en In addition to the AR experience of the Gateway to the Future initiative, HONOR has partnered with the Central Academy of Fine Arts ( CAFA) from Chinato create a new AR artwork titled “INFINITY”. The piece is available at the HONOR booth at IFA via the ARLOOPA app.
AR experiences can now be enjoyed
Starting today and through the end of the year, RA Gateway to the Future experiences can be accessed via the exclusive HONOR page in the ARLOOPA app for free download. Thus, users have the option to experience AR artworks locally in Hamburg or anywhere in the world. The physical experience is located in the Wasserschloss building and can be admired from the Poggenmühlen-Brücke, a bridge located in front of the monument. Users outside of Hamburg can select “experience on any surface” in the app and follow the onscreen instructions to experience the AR experience from any flat surface of your choice [1] .
Envelope to HONOR
HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming an iconic global technology brand and creating a smart new world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technologies that empower people around the world to go further, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit all budgets, HONOR’s portfolio of premier, innovative and reliable products enables people to become a better version of themselves.
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