As the world embraces rapid technological advancements, augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) have emerged as transformative tools with the potential to revolutionize industries and enhance human experiences.
Whether in the arts, education, healthcare, entertainment or engineering, AR and VR will play a fundamental role in the next phase of technology. That is why initiatives are being launched around the world aimed at incubating and nurturing innovative ideas in transformative technology.
One of those programs is the Program Creative Solutions by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Saudi Arabia. This has spawned two innovative projects – MemoARable and Virtually There – with the aim of using AR and VR to add value to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and creative industries (CCI).
New horizons
MemoARable, spearheaded by Maryam Alfadhli and Lina Alismail, seeks to reimagine the customer-shop relationship through an AR app.
By turning memories into personalized gifts with images, messages, and voice notes, MemoARable transcends traditional marketing strategies, opens doors to compelling card and gift card opportunities, and expands its application beyond initial expectations.
On the other hand, Maram Alghamdi and Ali AlEid’s Virtually There aims to revolutionize the tourism industry by providing users with full 360-degree access to Saudi Arabia’s top destinations. This immersive experience, which begins with AlUla, takes audiences on a journey through iconic tourist attractions.
The roadmap also includes virtual visits to Riyadh, Jeddah and a pilgrimage-focused tour of Mecca and Medina, creating an exciting mix of culture and technology.
The prototypes of these projects were presented to a team of international tech experts, including inventor and tech consultant Simon Benson, as part of the Creative Solutions program.
This program enables the creation of digital content in immersive technologies and awards each of the five selected projects financial support of up to $20,000 to bring their ideas to fruition.
Room to grow
This year is the third edition of the Creative Solutions showcase, where participants can again pitch their ideas. Successful applicants will develop their prototypes from September to December before presenting them to investors and the public in the fourth quarter.
The Creative Solutions program goes beyond financial support as participants embark on a transformative journey of technical, creative and entrepreneurial training and mentorship.
Their prototypes are showcased at events attended by potential collaborators, incubators, accelerators and other stakeholders, further fostering innovation and collaboration in the immersive tech space.
As the world embraces immersive technologies, projects like these will pave the way to unleash the limitless potential of AR and VR. With MemoARable and Virtually There leading the way, the future indeed looks bright for the intersection of creativity, technology and human innovation.