National Geographic Photo Ark and INDE’s Augmented Reality Spotlight Endangered Species

Published: January 18, 2018

The National Geographic Photo Ark – an exhibition themed around the largest photographic archive of global biodiversity, raising awareness of endangered species, and hosted by numerous museums and institutions around the world – has now launched at Parco della Musica in Rome. The exhibition, featuring clean, simple, large-format photographs, has been enhanced with a groundbreaking AR experience developed by INDE in collaboration with the National Geographic Society.

Air, Land & Sea - 3D Augmented Reality Content Package for Large Screens by INDE x National Geographic

INDE’s large-screen Augmented Reality system is a next-generation education tool suitable for audiences of all ages, and places photo-realistic 3D versions of any creature at any place within a realistic immersive experience. The Augmented Reality screen, installed at the Photo Ark exhibition in Rome, encourages people to interact with some of the species – elephant, rhino, giraffe, polar bear and other creatures – documented in the Photo Ark, and alongside the stunning photography it aims to strengthen the connection and sense of responsibility between human and wildlife.

The Photo Ark was launched by National Geographic Fellow, 25-year contributor to National Geographic magazine and acclaimed photographer and author Joel Sartore, back in 2005. In an attempt to get people to care about the fact that half of all Earth’s species – all of which play a vital role in our very survival – could go extinct by 2100, he started a series of portraits to raise awareness and give everyone a chance to look these animals directly in the eye.

Photographs from Photo Ark by Joel Sartone

Out of over 12000 species in human care around the world, there are 7521 species in the Photo Ark as of today, including including rare animals like the white rhino, unusual specimens like a two-headed turtle and animals who are the very last of their kind.