PR97656

BERLIN, Sept. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-New Gateway to the Future Initiative Aims to Make Culture More Accessible and

Engaging in the Era of the Metaverse

Global technology brand HONOR today announced Gateway to the Future, an

initiative designed to enrich cultural heritage through the power of

technology. Launched during its IFA 2022 keynote, HONOR challenged two popular

artists to creatively reimagine the Wasserschloss, an iconic landmark located

in Hamburg's Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site using augmented

reality (AR). Set against the backdrop of surging interest in the metaverse and

the growth of hybrid tourism, the project aims to inspire global creative

talent to leverage innovations such as AI, AR and Spatial Audio to connect

communities with culture in more immersive ways and support the global tourism

rebound, as the world embraces the connected future.

"As a global technology company, HONOR is committed to developing smart device

technology which enables people to celebrate and experience cultural treasures

from the past while also discovering the possibilities of the future," said

George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co, Ltd. "We predict the rise of AR and AI

technologies being used to create even more phy-gital experiences for

smartphone users around the world, contributing to the hybrid tourism boom.

Beyond tourism, this technology has the potential to benefit a number of other

industries and communities. It really is the Gateway to the Future."

Celebrating Cultural Heritage in the Metaverse

Renowned for being Germany 's "Gateway to the World," Hamburg evolved from a

port city to a thriving metropolis by embracing a longstanding culture of

community, collaboration and innovation. Inspired by the city's history of

transformation, HONOR chose Hamburg as the pilot location for the project, with

the aim of contributing to the digital cultural boom and inspiring people from

all around the world to reimagine cultural treasures in the metaverse.

To bring the project to life, HONOR partnered with ARLOOPA, an AR and VR

development company, and celebrated artists Yunuene and Timo Helgert, who

creatively transformed the famous Wasserschloss building in 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 marine logistics transformed over time with her signature visual aesthetic.

Timo Helgert's experience "Blooming Future" takes a more futuristic approach,

playing on Hamburg's status as one of the greenest cities of the world and

creatively imagining what the Wasserschloss would look like in a green future

where beautiful plants and endangered species can thrive, taking this historic

landmark into an otherworldly realm.

Unlocking Immersive Experiences through the Power of AI and AR

Through the experience, HONOR also contributes to hybrid tourism, an emerging

trend following the global tourism rebound, whereby travelers are expecting

digital advances made during the pandemic to benefit and augment physical

travel experiences. The AR experiences at the Wasserschloss bring the digital

and physical worlds together, allowing travelers to experience culture a

totally new way. HONOR has been consistently investing in technologies

including AI Space Identification, Spatial Audio and AR to enable enhanced

immersive experiences fit for 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 world's

largest trading ports. Through the advent of emerging technologies including

augmented reality, it is now possible to educate and engage future generations

about cultural heritage in new and exciting ways. We were therefore proud to be

able to help HONOR's Gateway to the Future initiative, which not only offers a

celebration of the district's significance to Germany, but also its exciting

future as a global metropolis," said Bernd Paulowitz, Head of UNESCO World

Heritage Hamburg.

"With tourism soaring to new heights following years of global lockdowns, it's

great to see brands like HONOR bringing new and enriched experiences to people

as they start to explore the world again. This summer, our city saw again the

same level in visitors as in summer 2019, which in part has been due to new

interactive cultural attractions enabled by technology. Inspired by Hamburg's

status as the Gateway to the World, we're thrilled to partner with the Gateway

to the Future initiative, which we are confident will allow visitors and

residents of Hamburg alike to connect with the UNESCO World Heritage

Speicherstadt in more immersive ways. We are witnessing a huge demand for

hybrid experiences, with travelers increasingly expecting a virtual layer to

their interactions with cultural landmarks. This is the right time to harness

the power of technology in tourism to create magical experiences for tourists

around the world," said, Guido Neumann, Head of PR of Hamburg Tourism Board.

Reimagine Your Community with HONOR Talents

Launched as part of the HONOR Talents Global Design Awards, Gateway to the

Future also aims to inspire creative talent from all around the world to

harness technology and reimagine their own communities in the era of the

metaverse. For the first time, HONOR Talents is introducing a dedicated AR

Interactive Artwork Design category, and is now accepting applications for

digital art that transforms local neighborhoods, including digital overlays for

buildings, walls, parks, and other public spaces. Artists interested in the

contest can find more information here:

https://www.hihonor.com/honor-talents/en In addition to Gateway to the Future

AR experience, HONOR has partnered with the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA)

in China to create a new AR artwork titled "INFINITY". The art is available at

HONOR's IFA booth through the ARLOOPA app.

AR Experiences are Now Live

Available from today until the end of the year, the Gateway to the Future AR

experiences can be accessed through the dedicated HONOR page on the free to

download ARLOOPA app. Users have the option to experience the AR artworks on

site in Hamburg, or anywhere in the world. The on-site experience is anchored

to the Wasserschloss building, and can be viewed from the Poggenmühlen-Brücke,

the bridge opposite the landmark. Users who are not in Hamburg can select

"experience on any surface" on the app and follow the on-screen instructions to

virtually check out the AR experience on a flat surface nearby[1].

About HONOR

HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to

becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world

for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering

focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people

around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more.

Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to

suit every budget, HONOR's portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable

products enable people to become a better version of themselves.

For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com or email

newsroom@hihonor.com

http://community.hihonor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/

https://twitter.com/Honorglobal

https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/

http://www.youtube.com/c/HonorOfficial

[1] For the best experience, users are recommended to use an ARCore- or

ARKit-compatible smartphone.

SOURCE HONOR

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=428619

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=428621

   Caption: “Sailing Through Time” by Yunuene

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=428622

   Caption: “Blooming Future” by Timo Helgert