14 November,2021 08:14 AM IST | Greece | Agencies
Seventh and eighth-graders from a local school pinched, zoomed and rotated the monuments that had been brought to life on their smartphones. Pics Courtesy/AP
An unusual partnership between Microsoft and Greece's Ministry of Culture and Sport launched an immersive tour at one of the world's major archaeological sites. The programme at ancient Olympia harnesses augmented reality technology that designers say has the potential to transform education, business and entertainment. Critics warn it will extend the invasive power of US tech giants.
The culture ministry helped Microsoft map and build virtual representations at Olympia, a site used for nearly a thousand years to host the games in ancient Greece that served as the inspiration for the modern Olympics. "It's a milestone⦠that helped us bring technology and culture and history together so we can preserve it," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a video message.
Users can tour the site remotely or in person with an online presentation and an augmented-like mobile app at Olympia
Users can tour the site remotely or in person with an online presentation and an augmented-like mobile app at Olympia, seeing a virtual re-creation of temples and competition areas as they walk through the ruins. At the Olympic Museum in Athens, they can use Microsoft's mixed-reality HoloLens headsets that overlay visual information on top of what the viewer sees. Tilt up and a towering statue of Zeus plated in ivory and gold comes into view; turn left and peer into the workshop used by the famed sculptor Phidias at the ancient sanctuary more than 2,400 years ago.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that we're able to present to the world a completely new cultural experience using technology to re-create the ancient world of Olympia," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told The Associated Press after joining a group of schoolchildren using the app for the first time. Seventh and eighth-graders from a local school pinched, zoomed and rotated the monuments that had been brought to life on their smartphones, flipping between inside and outside views as they toured the site where athletes in antiquity competed in running, javelin throwing, wrestling, boxing, horse racing and other events.Microsoft started the project 18 months ago, scouring Olympia with drones and sensors.
18
No. of months ago Microsoft started the project
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