OLYMPIA, Greece -- Imagine walking around the ancient religious sanctuary in Olympia during the Olympic Games.
Microsoft and the Ministry of Culture and Sport of Greece have teamed up to create an unusual partnership that will offer visitors the opportunity to experience an immersive tour at one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
Ancient Olympia's program harnesses augmented-reality technology, which designers claim has the potential for transforming education, business, and entertainment. Critics claim it will increase the invading power of U.S. tech titans.
Microsoft created virtual representations of Olympia thanks to the help of the culture ministry. This site was used for almost a thousand years as a venue for ancient Greek games that inspired the modern Olympics.
Microsoft President Brad Smith stated that the milestone "helped us bring technology, culture and history together so it can be preserved," during a video message to the launch event.
The site can be toured remotely or in person using an online presentation and an Augmented-like mobile app at Olympia. Users will see a virtual recreation of temples and competition areas while they walk through the ruins. They can also use Microsoft's mixed reality HoloLens headsets at the Olympic Museum in Athens. These headsets overlay visual information onto what the viewer sees.
To see a tall statue of Zeus in ivory and golden, tilt up. Turn left to view the workshop that Phidias used at the ancient sanctuary over 2,400 years ago.
After joining a group made up of schoolchildren who had just downloaded the app, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, stated that she was "absolutely thrilled" to be able to share with the world a new cultural experience.
A local school's seventh and eighth graders zoomed, rotated, and pinched the monuments that were brought to life by their smartphones. They flipped between the inside and outside views while touring the site, where ancient athletes competed in running and javelin throwing.
"The app is truly impressive. Panagiotis Christophertopoulos, a child, stated that the app could be used to help in teaching in schools.
Microsoft began the project 18-months ago. They scoured Olympia with drones, sensors, and eventually reached an agreement with Greece to build three data centers in Greater Athens. The investment could reach $1 billion.
Mixed reality platforms and gear are being developed by tech companies. Glasses can double as projectors for extra information, such as route options for cyclists or player stats for sports fans.
It is part of the "metaverse," an futuristic online world that aims to merge real and virtual lives.
HoloLens from Microsoft costs $3,500. It is usually used by doctors and those who maintain jetliners. However, experts claim that the headset is becoming more mainstream because of its lower price, increasing processing power, and faster internet connections.
"I believe we are very close to a tipping points where we will see glasses that feel normal and that don't seem abhorrent in their physical size," David Rose, author of "SuperSight": What Augmented Reality Means For Our Lives, Work, and How We Imagine the Future, said Rose.
They'll have decent battery life and most of the computing will be done in the phone. Rose, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher, and tech product designer, said that she believes those will move to tourism, education, and other mainstream activities within a few years.
Frances Haugen , a whistleblower for Facebook, stated that the metaverse could become addictive and rob users of more personal information.
Rose stated that augmented reality could give rise to "cognitive crutches" which would reduce personal calculation skills and further divide societies. Each user will be immersed in their own reality. Rose remains optimistic despite all the dangers.
He said, "They can be empathy engines and the most powerful educational instrument ever invented." They can assist with training and help people learn new skills, so they don't lose their job. It's full of potential, which I find exciting.
