PRESS RELEASE
07.01.19

PROGRESSIVE CORNISH BUSINESSES IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE 3D WORLD

Free ‘Immersive Tech Introductions’ showcase how Cornish businesses can utilise 3D photography scanning for all needs  

New immersive technologies and digital platforms are offering a range of easy and cost-effective methods to communicate and market products and propositions of all kinds. Now, thanks to Coastal Community funding, the world of 3D scanning and photography, and the new and exciting accessibility it delivers, will be available for free for Cornish businesses in a workshop in Bude in January.

The session is part of a series of innovative cost-free ‘Immersive Tech Introductions’ for Cornish businesses of all sizes, types and sectors. These opportunities have been opened up via the Coastal Communities funding gained by the new wAVE project, led by Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Cornwall Museums Partnership and Falmouth University. Across the next 12 months, organisations across Cornwall can gain access to new technological knowledge and skills that could significantly boost the awareness, efficiency and success of their business.

Taking place at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude between 10.30am and 2.30pm on January 23rd, the free 3D scanning session will introduce local Cornish businesses to the potential of how 3D photography scanning can be applied to disability, business, education, hospitality and property needs.

This session will be led by Chris Wood, director of Ocean 3D™, a leading 3D Virtual Reality photography scanning business. Ocean 3D was the first business in the world, without physical premises, to be awarded the ‘Autism Friendly’ award by the National Autistic Society and is currently working with a number of NHS trusts. Ocean 3D apply a pro-health, pro-accessibility ethos to help businesses become more accessible to people with autism, anxiety, reduced mobility and accessibility issues.

Chris Wood, director of Ocean 3D™, said: “Businesses need to realise that the potential for 3D photography scanning stems way beyond being an immersive and captivating marketing tool, it is also an incredible way to increase the accessibility of your business. This is the ideal session for businesses that focus on inclusion and availability, but it is also highly relevant for sectors such as education, hospitality and property. I look forward to meeting with businesses in Bude on the 23rd of January.”

The innovative wAVE Project is led by Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Cornwall Museums Partnership, and Falmouth University. The project has received a significant amount of funding to upskill and train individuals and businesses across Cornwall in new and exciting immersive technologies.

Amy Shakespeare, wAVE Community Project Manager at Cornwall Museums Partnership, said: “We’re proud to be leading the wAVE project alongside Falmouth University on behalf of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP. The first session at Bedruthan Hotel focussed on screenless browsing and it was a tremendous success with a full house on the day. We hope to repeat this with the second session. Throughout 2020, we will be covering different areas of the emerging immersive tech industry, showing how they can benefit Cornish businesses of all shapes and sizes, all free of charge.”

The session will include a free lunch - please note any dietary requirements when booking your free ticket via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/immersive-tech-introductions-3d-tours-tickets-80848188107?ref=estw

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the wAVE project and Cornwall Museums Partnership by Excess Energy Communications. For further info please contact Else Welde or Rhona Gardiner on Else@excess-energy.co.uk or Rhona@excess-energy.co.uk or by calling 01637 852130.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Coastal Communities Fund

The Great British Coast has enormous economic potential and this government is determined to see it thrive all year round. That’s why by 2020 the Government will have invested over £200 million in our much loved seaside areas through dedicated programmes like Coastal Communities Fund to help in generating jobs and boosting businesses.

So far, analysis has shown that this has been money well spent with every £1 invested having the potential to create an up to £8 boost to our coastal economies. To find out more visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coastal-communities-fund

More than 85% of Brazil’s population live in urban areas. The country has 17 cities with over 1 million inhabitants. Sao Paulo is the largest megalopolis in South America with over 16 million people (O3D - Compare this to London with a ‘mere’ 8.9 Million people!). Source

Your location is unique, the people you work with and serve are unique, the challenges we all face however, are very similar. Here are three simple, low-cost ideas to use VR to overcome challenges, increase business and help our global community.

• "Getting ready to spend time outside - As the weather continues to improve, we’ve seen search behaviour change with consumers readying themselves for spending more time outdoors." (Source -2) As travel and socialising restrictions begin to lift around the world, the tourism and hospitality industry can utilise VR* to maintain interest from existing customers and generate new business with immersive, engaging content. "How quickly can you find the hidden offer code in our VR tour?"

• "Over 1 in 3 consumers have started using a new brand as a result of the innovative or compassionate way they’ve responded to the pandemic" (Source 1) Our VR tours don't require a headset and can be experienced on any smart device or desktop. For families with young 'active' children and people with hidden disabilities or conditions such as autism, continence or dementia, an interactive Ocean 3D tour allows the end user to familiarise themselves with a new destination. This can be a fun activity that builds desire or, for many, a very welcome facility to plan and reduce anxieties.

• Return to work - There has been a 335% increase in the search term "return to work" since the beginning of March. We are helping some of our clients who want to use their interactive tours to embed training and induction videos and .PDF information sheet downloads to ensure their colleagues arrive back fully up to speed on the latest procedures, familiarised with layouts and up-to-date information, in a low-cost, safe and highly engaging way.
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• Sources:
• Edelman, Global (BR, CA, CN, FR, DE, IN, IT, JP, ZA, KR, U.K., U.S.), Brand Trust and the Coronavirus Pandemic, n=1000 nationally rep. respondents/market, March 23, 2020–March 26, 2020.
  
• Google - https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-gb/consumer-insights/search-insights-help-you-understand-consumers-uk-saw-rises-quietest-time-go-shopping-and-app-free/