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Socially Acceptable XR Technology Demonstrator with Virtual Assistant for Cultural Engagement and Urban Development

(ver versão portuguesa)

Welcome to XRCity project

XRCity is developing a demonstrator of advanced XR technology, developed by the SERMAS project and generative AI, to create a socially acceptable virtual assistant. The assistant will be installed on an outdoor screen in public spaces of Torres Vedras, transforming these areas into interactive hubs where citizens can engage with their urban environment. By leveraging XR technology - with a friendly avatar offering real-time information about local attractions, cultural events, and essential services - the project aims to enhance the quality of life for city residents and a sense of cultural identity, while providing valuable insights for urban planners.

XRCity avatar

objective 1.

Enhance citizen engagement

Use XR technology to create an engaging platform for citizens to interact with, promoting active participation in urban development discussions.

objective 2.

Support urban planning

Collect comprehensive and actionable data from citizens to inform the municipality's urban development plans while preserving cultural heritage.

objective 3.

Promote cultural heritage

Increase awareness and participation in cultural heritage sites and events, fostering community’s sense of identity and cultural continuity.

objective 4.

Overcome digital barriers

Develop a socially acceptable virtual assistant to bridge the gap for digitally illiterate citizens, ensuring inclusive participation.

inknow solutions

in:know is an ICT company dedicated to the development of knowledge solutions, and it will be responsible for the software component of the virtual assistant.

Founded in 2015, resulting from more than a decade of R&D work in European projects, in:know is specialized in developing tailor-made solutions to complex problems in organisations. The company portfolio includes the localisation, extraction, and enhancement of knowledge, as well as the support to boost innovative processes and solutions for organisations.

Municipality of Torres Vedras

The Municipality of Torres Vedras is a public organisation responsible for the local government of the territory of Torres Vedras. In XRCity, it will be responsible for providing the knowledge about the city cultural heritage and processsing the collected data.

Located in the western coast of Portugal, a few kilometres north of Lisbon, this region has been populated since ancient times. It covers an area of c.a. 400 km2, and its current population rounds 80 thousand people. Its current strategic urban development focus on the rehabilitation of the industrial outskirts of the city, an area known as Arenes.

Kontraproduções

Kontraproduções is a company in the advertising sector with an ambivalent approach: creative and production, and it will be responsible for the hardware infrastructure of the virtual assistant.

This balance of creativity and production has led the company to stand out in the industry and markets, for more than 24 years, enabling them to develop and manage B2B projects of public-private interest, embodied in strategic alliances and partnerships. Its business strategy is based on a Design Thinking logic, seeking to improve their performance and create value for their clients on a daily basis.

European Union flag

The eXtendRCity project has indirectly received funding from the European Union, via the SERMAS OC2 DEMONSTRATE issued and executed under the SERMAS project (G.A. 101070351). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or SERMAS. Neither the EU nor SERMAS can be held responsible for them.