The Ruractive project has strengthen its commitment to rural innovation with a new milestone: the approval of two disruptive technologies presented by the consortium to the European Commission last May in Zamora (Spain). In an exceptional move, the European executive body has validated ‘Zamora Medieval XR’ and ‘VYVA’, two proposal focusing on the areas of culture and healthcare, which add to other initiatives already promoted in fields such as wildfire prevention and the silver economy.
The first of these, ‘Zamora Medieval XR’, will allow visitors to relive, through virtual reality, the reconstruction of emblematic landmarks such as the Castle of Castrotorafe (San Cebrián de Castro, Zamora) and the Monastery of Moreruela (Granja de Moreruela, Zamora), recreating not only their original appearance and architectural evolution, but also key episodes from the medieval heritage of the province.
This initiative will be expanded with virtual tours through around twenty additional sites, complemented by an interactive web-app featuring text, audio guides and mini-games, accessible from computers and mobile devices. The experience will be further enhanced by the integration of virtual reality headsets, touchscreens, IoT sensors and multilingual QR codes, enabling anyone –whether in Zamora or anywhere else in the wold- to immerse themselves in this heritage.
Meanwhile, the ‘VYVA’ system represents a decisive breakthrough in digital healthcare for dispersed rural populations. Designed as a continuation of the previous ‘Home Doctor’, this solution will allow elderly citizens to contact their doctor within minutes thanks to a preliminary facial scan and a set of questions that will assist the professional with their diagnosis.
The service has been designed to operate through voice control and without the need for an internet connection, although it can also be accessed via smart devices. Its main functionalities include monitoring vital signs, telemedicine consultations and the management of medical treatments. In addition, autonomous access points will be installed, equipped with a touchscreen, voice guidance, card reader and QR code scanner, thereby ensuring a simple and inclusive experience for all.
Thanks to European support, Zamora is expanding its catalogue of innovative technological tools. These technologies arrive to reinforce the strategy for digitalisation and sustainable development in rural areas, in line with the objectives of the Ruractive project.
Image via Diputación de Zamora