The editor of Downcodes will take you to learn about an amazing project integrating technology and faith! The Vatican partnered with Microsoft to create a digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica using cutting-edge technology. This innovative initiative not only allows believers and tourists around the world to explore this magnificent religious building without leaving home, but more importantly, it will help the Vatican improve the efficiency of visitor management and effectively identify and protect potential problems in church buildings, providing a The protection of cultural heritage provides new scientific and technological means. Let’s take a closer look at this impressive project.
The project used 400,000 high-resolution digital photos taken with drones, cameras and laser equipment during four weeks of the cathedral being visited by no one.
The launch of the digital twin, combined with two new on-site exhibitions, provides visitors with an interactive experience. "This is one of the most advanced and complex technology projects ever undertaken," Microsoft President Brad Smith told a Vatican news conference.
The digital platform allows visitors to reserve entry times online, a first for one of the world's most popular attractions, where visitors often spend hours waiting to get in. At the heart of the project is the creation of a highly accurate 3D model through advanced photogrammetry and artificial intelligence , allowing anyone to "visit" the cathedral and learn about its history.
According to Smith, this ultra-fine 3D replica was developed in partnership with digital preservation company Iconem and integrates 22 petabytes of data, equivalent to the capacity of 5 million DVDs. These images have successfully identified signs of structural damage and degradation, such as missing mosaic fragments, cracks, etc., with speed and accuracy far beyond human capabilities.
Pope Francis thanked the Microsoft team and cathedral staff at Monday's event and praised how modern technology can help spread ancient faith while protecting this world heritage site. He emphasized that maintaining this church is not only the inheritance of faith, but also the responsibility of material wealth, and even requires the use of the latest technology.
Smith did not disclose the specific investment amount of the project, saying only that its scale is "considerable." It is a call launched by Francis in 2018 to bring together technology companies to promote artificial intelligence with humanistic care.
This technology not only provides strong support for the protection of St. Peter's Basilica, but also provides new ideas and reference for the protection of other cultural heritages around the world. The perfect combination of technology and faith shows us amazing future possibilities. The editor of Downcodes looks forward to the emergence of more such projects and bringing more surprises to the world!