At the end of July, "Persephone", the robot with advanced technology that will guide visitors to the cave from the entrance to the next 100 meters inside the cave, is expected to arrive at Alistrati Cave. The implementation of the robotic guidance system in the cave is something totally new.
Named after the mythological Persephone, the robot, built entirely (software) at the Institute of Technology and Research, will guide visitors to the cave in more than forty languages and answer specific questions from visitors. "Persephone'' is one of the five steps of digital transformation in the Alistrati Cave with funding from the “Intereg” program, called i-cave.
The next steps of the digital transformation
The 2nd step is about the application of QR in the cave, where visitors will be able to browse and get information about the geological formations through an application on their mobile phones, while they will be able to listen to the myth of the abduction of Persephone in Ancient Greek language.
Moreover, there will be not only the possibility of 3D representation of the bio-speleological features of the cave (species of bats, Allistrati beroni), but also the possibility of digital representation of the mythological inhabitant of the cave, Persephone.
The 3rd step involves the development of VR (virtual reality) to show visitors the corridors of the cave, to which there is no access, but also the digital representation of the formation of the cave. This application will be developed in a specially designed room in the environment of the cave.
The 4th step involves the development of educational robotics for students, with the possibility of creating a copy of the robot guide in a specially designed corridor and the corresponding programming, copying the movements of the robot guide.
The 5th step involves the creation of a Speleological Museum of virtual reality that will represent in holograms the cave of Alistrati - there will also be exhibits not only of the cave of Alistrati, but also of other caves in the area, as well as traces of prehistoric human activity that lived in the area at that time.
"With the development of the above applications, they will prove the Alistrati Cave as a place of innovation and digital transformation not only for the caves of Greece, but also for all the caves of the world, proving that even small municipal companies can be innovative and prove worldwide their digital abilities" said the scientific director of the cave, Nikos Kartalis.
With the delivery and operation of the advanced robot for the tour, it is expected that the number of guides and visitors will increase, a fact that will contribute decisively to the economic revitalization of the local community.
