SEGITTUR and YBVR explore VR and 5G applications for tourism
SEGITTUR has selected Yerba Buena VR (YBVR) to deploy a VR tourism experience over 5G, included in the 5G-EVE project. SEGITTUR (Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, S.A.) attached to the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism and reporting to the National Department of Tourism, is responsible for promoting innovation (R+D+i) in the Spanish tourism industry, in both the public (new models and channels for the promotion, management and creation of smart destinations and so on) and private sector (support for entrepreneurs, new, sustainable and more competitive business models, export of Spanish technology). 5G EVE is the European 5G validation platform for extensive trials. It is one of three 5G PPP infrastructure projects started on 1st July 2018. The goal is to implement and test advanced 5G infrastructures in Europe. YBVR is developing with SEGITTUR two use cases related with tourism, video VR and 5G. “Immersive tourism” is the first use case, defined to give an immersive experience of a real event through video VR. YBVR technology is used to capture and replay the event and, using streaming over 5G, broadcast the experience to different locations, on live or on demand models. Small spaces, non-accessible places, far-away events… can be captured by VR video to create an immersive experience. Handicap people, potential tourists or new experiences seekers can be the preferred audience for the immersive tourism. “Virtual tickets” is the second use case to be defined. Limited capacity of venues cannot be more a limitation to sell tickets and get more audience. VR video streaming can give a first-row ticket without any numbering limitation. A congress subscription, a basketball seat, a festival entrance, a traditional celebration… could be suitable to become part of this experience, selling virtual tickets for funs from other places or time-restricted followers. SEGITTUR and YBVR collaboration includes a batch of 5G testing trial, metering how 5G technology can improve the feasibility and performance of this use cases. Finally, all these concepts and technologies will be placed in the field on January 2020 into FITUR, the first appointment of the year for the world’s tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America.
