Dorset’s first ever immersive, virtual reality ‘map’ of business premises is under construction.
Mudeford-based 3D virtual tours company Yooport has partnered with Dorset Growth Hub, the European Regional Development Fund and Dorset Chamber to add and showcase venues as it compiles a searchable online catalogue.
The aim of the project is to make it easy for businesses, partners and customers to connect through realistic, interactive tours of offices, factories, development sites and other premises.
Yooport features an all-in-one reality capture system that goes further than traditional video or 360° tours.
It creates realistic 3D models of real-world spaces, named ‘Digital Twins’, with multiple view options and outputs in a range of formats.
Yooport was founded by husband and wife team Richard and Krystyna Guppy, Technical and Marketing Directors respectively.
Richard said: “Yooport offers realistic, interactive 3D and virtual reality experiences that make you feel like you are actually there. We’ve invested in the latest technology to provide a state-of-the-art service harnessing the power of immersive visual representation.”
Krystyna said: “By creating a Dorset-wide ‘Digital Ecosystem’ of real-world locations, we aim to help companies and organisations connect and showcase their businesses online, so helping them attract more clients and investment and go for growth.”
Yooport has received advice and support from Dorset Growth Hub including a grant and EU funding arranged through the Dorset Business Growth Partnership.
Richard Burn, Digital Project Manager at Dorset Growth Hub, said: “We support businesses that want to grow, improve Dorset’s competitiveness and encourage inward investment to the county.
“This is exactly what Yooport aims to do and we are delighted to be helping them on their journey to create a 3D business map of Dorset.”
Yooport has origins in commercial property development with building professionals and property owners requiring specialist 3D views for construction and development projects as well as advertising, sales and marketing activities.
Early Dorset users include Sunseeker, Keeley Fox Interior Design, Parkstone Yacht Club, Morgan Sindall Construction, Talbot Heath School and the Holiday Inn in Bournemouth.
DCCI Chief Executive Ian Girling said: “It’s increasingly important for businesses to look to forward-thinking, digital ways of connecting with their partners and customers, and we are delighted to work with Yooport on this exciting project.”
Users simply embed Yooport in their websites as they do with YouTube clips and can add the models into Google searches and Google Maps.
Tags and links are easily inputted to the tours giving extra information about what is on view.
