The "Imagine the Metaverse" event, held at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Center on June 11-12, 2024, organized by the City of Tampere and Microsoft, brought together industry leaders, city planners, and technology enthusiasts to explore the transformative potential of the metaverse. This two-day event focused on how digital advancements and technological innovations are seamlessly integrating the real and virtual worlds to revolutionize various aspects of urban living. Leyla Arsan, TAGES CEO and Eda Telli Yamamoto, TAGES Projects Expert attended the event.
The main topics discussed at the event included:
1. Urban Transformation through the Metaverse: Keynote speakers and panel discussions delved into how XR technology and Digital Twins can enhance urban environments, making cities smarter, more sustainable, and more engaging for residents and visitors.
2. Innovative Technologies and Digital Twins: Attendees were introduced to the latest technological advancements in XR, artificial intelligence, and cloud-data solutions that are driving the evolution of the metaverse. Demonstrations and presentations showcased how these innovations are being applied in real-world scenarios.
3. Human-Centric Approaches: A significant focus was placed on ensuring that technological developments prioritize human experiences. Sessions highlighted the importance of public participation and the need for technology to enhance everyday life.
4. Cross-Sector Collaboration: The event underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among cities, technology providers, and research institutions. Discussions centered on developing open, interoperable, and ethical solutions for the metaverse.
5. The Future of the CitiVerse: The x-CITE project’s vision for the CitiVerse—a city-shared metaverse platform—was a highlight of the event. Presentations and interactive sessions explored its potential impacts on urban living and city management, emphasizing the project's role in pioneering sustainable urban transformation.
Imagine the Metaverse provided a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the showcasing of innovative solutions. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how the metaverse can reshape the future, driving forward the digital transformation of urban environments.
During a dedicated session titled “Getting x-Cited: Boosting Human-Centric Transformation with XR Technology and Digital Twins in the Citiverse,” members of the x-CITE consortium, presented the project's vision and potential by presenting the city use cases. Leyla Arsan presented the Istanbul use case which will focus on the cultural heritage and tourism within the historical peninsula. This session emphasized how x-CITE can drive significant impact in sustainable urban development and enhance competitiveness by introducing innovative approaches to city planning and citizen engagement.
TAGES is participating at the forefront on the exploration of defining what CitiVerse means for Europe by participating on the x-CITE Project. The Project is still in the grant agreement phase and is an ambitious initiative that is reshaping the future of urban transformation across Europe. Partnering with leading smart cities, research institutions, and technology companies, x-CITE aims to harness the power of Extended Reality (XR) and Digital Twins to drive human-centric, sustainable and interoperable urban development. This project is part of the Digital Europe Program, which supports the digital evolution of European cities with a significant funding boost of €6.5 million.
A Vision for the Future: Digital Transformation with x-CITE
The x-CITE project is centered around the creation of the CitiVerse, a dynamic platform that integrates XR technology and Digital Twins to foster smart city transformation. This initiative aligns with the Digital Europe Program's mission to advance cloud-data and artificial intelligence solutions, emphasizing a human and environment-oriented approach to urban planning and development.
With support from the Digital Europe Program 2021-2027, x-CITE is set to revolutionize how cities engage with their citizens and manage their resources. By developing innovative XR tools, the project aims to promote public participation and sustainable interactions in key areas such as smart urban planning, cultural heritage, and tourism. And at the heart of the x-CITE project are its use case cities: Tampere, Istanbul, Flanders, and Rotterdam. Each city brings unique strengths and perspectives, contributing to the project's diverse and dynamic approach to urban transformation. The project has 16 partners City of Tampere, Nokia, Flemish Region, IMEC, CEGEKA, Transport & Mobility Leuven, Rear Window, Howest University of Applied Sciences, City of Rotterdam, Future Insight, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Sabancı University, TAGES, BİTES, OASC and Krill Architectures.
TAGES' Role in the x-CITE Consortium
As a pivotal member of the x-CITE consortium, TAGES collaborates with esteemed partners including İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Sabancı University, and BİTES. Our efforts are particularly focused on Istanbul, where we aim to enhance the city's rich cultural and historical landscape through immersive XR experiences.
In Istanbul, the x-CITE project will create enriched XR layers, offering virtual tours and interactive experiences that highlight the city's historical peninsula. This initiative not only supports tourism and cultural heritage but also contributes to environmental improvement and smart urban planning.
Looking Forward: The Future of the CitiVerse
As we look ahead, the x-CITE project represents a significant leap towards the integration of digital technologies into our urban environments. The metaverse is not just a virtual concept but a transformative reality that merges seamlessly with our daily lives, businesses, and cultural experiences.
For TAGES, being part of this pioneering project underscores our commitment to driving innovation and collaboration in smart city solutions. The CitiVerse platform, developed through the x-CITE project, offers a glimpse into a future where cities are more connected, interactive, and sustainable.
We are excited about the possibilities that x-CITE brings and look forward to the project's official launch in September or October. As we embark on this journey, TAGES remains dedicated to advancing the frontiers of digital transformation and contributing to a smarter, more interconnected world.
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