Portyl App Uses AR to Bring Ancient Roman Ruins to Life with Stunning 3D Reconstructions

Histoury, a Dallas-based travel technology company comprised of gaming veterans, is set to revolutionize historical tourism with the launch of its Portyl app. Utilizing advanced augmented reality (AR) and geospatial technologies, Portyl transforms mobile devices into time machines, providing users with a vivid, interactive glimpse into the past. The app is built on the Unity game engine and integrates Niantic Spatial's Visual Positioning System (VPS) and World Positioning System (WPS), ensuring geospatial precision and persistence across historical sites with centimeter-level accuracy. Key Features and Initial Experiences At launch, Portyl will offer immersive experiences at several iconic Roman landmarks, including the Pantheon, Largo di Torre Argentina, the Colosseum district, the Forum of Trajan, the Theatre of Marcellus, and the Temple of Hadrian. Users can visualize these sites as they stood in their prime, complete with bustling scenes, detailed reconstructions, and authentic cultural elements. For example, at the Pantheon, visitors can witness the ancient structure teeming with citizens, merchants, and priests. At Largo di Torre Argentina, a sacred area with four temples, users can see the temples as they existed between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. The app also simulates a triumphant march of Roman soldiers through the Arch of Constantine and a busy Forum of Trajan with senators and countrymen. Portyl's AI-guided tours are available in over 60 languages, enhancing accessibility for tourists worldwide. The app differs from site-specific apps or passive museum audio tours by offering a unified platform with rich, cinematic 3D content. Visitors can purchase packages starting at €20, which grant access to these immersive experiences through their smartphones or tablets, eliminating the need for additional hardware like AR headsets. Market Potential and User Feedback The heritage travel market is currently valued at $2 billion, and the demand for AR tourism is growing exponentially, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% over the next decade. A third-party survey commissioned by Histoury revealed significant pain points in traditional tourism, such as difficulty imagining ancient structures and a desire for more interactive and engaging experiences. Nearly 42% of respondents indicated that they would visit more sites on a trip if the experiences were immersive and interactive. Todd Porter, CEO of Histoury, emphasized the emotional impact of Portyl on users. "When people young and old experience Portyl, you can see the magic in their eyes and hear it in their voices," he said. "Instead of trying to picture what the Forum looked like, you can simply hold up your phone and see it in all its splendor." Technical Foundation and Future Prospects The app's geospatial precision is powered by Niantic Spatial's VPS and WPS, which anchor each immersive experience to the exact physical location of the historic site. This technological integration ensures that the virtual reconstructions align seamlessly with the real-world environment, enhancing the realism and educational value of the app. Joe Gabriel, head of customer and developer success at Niantic Spatial, praised Portyl, stating, "We believe Portyl has the potential to be a killer app for AR tourism, and we're inspired to see Histoury using Niantic Spatial technology for this impactful new experience." To get started, users can download Portyl for free from the App Store or Google Play. All that's needed is a smartphone or tablet, headphones, and a sense of curiosity. The app's ease of use and high-quality graphics make it an appealing tool for both casual tourists and history enthusiasts. Industry Insights Industries insiders commend Portyl for its innovative use of AR and geospatial technology, predicting that it will set a new standard for heritage tourism. By combining theater and history, Portyl offers a unique blend of entertainment and education, addressing the growing demand for more engaging and interactive travel experiences. As the market continues to evolve, Histoury's app is poised to become a cornerstone of the future of travel technology. Company Profile Histoury is a travel tech company founded by Gaming veterans with a mission to enhance the way people experience history. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, they aim to create immersive and educational experiences that resonate with travelers of all ages. Their flagship product, Portyl, is the culmination of years of research and development in AR and geospatial technology, setting the stage for a new era in heritage tourism.