President Rivlin Pays Virtual Visit To Israelis’ Homes For 72nd Independence Day

By NoCamels Team April 26, 2020 2 minutes

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is “visiting” people in their homes just in time for Israel’s 72nd Independence Day, through an innovative Israeli invention that brings his volumetric hologram to their smartphones.

Users can head to a website to see the president in augmented reality (AR) on their mobile device, without downloading an app.

On the site, the president sends a message thanking viewers and reminding them to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The feature is being made available ahead of Israeli Independence Day which starts Tuesday evening. Celebrations and events are being limited and some have been canceled to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

In his pre-recorded message, Rivlin talks about the first Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut in Hebrew) ever celebrated in Israel, when the flag was first raised to the top of the flagpole.

“We felt like we were witnessing a miracle,” he says, “and here we are today, 72 years later and I am together with you. In truth, it is really moving. Yom Haatzmaut Sameach, my dear ones!”

At the end of his message, viewers can take a picture with the president and share it.

“I don’t have my camera with me, so you’re in charge, and don’t forget to smile!” he exclaims, counting down to three.

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“This year, we will not be able to meet in ceremonies, on stage, in celebrations. So on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day, I decided to come and bless you, wherever you choose,” the president wrote on his official Facebook page.

The hologram was developed by Nimrod Shapiro, a programmer at TetaVI, using artificial intelligence and dedicated software to create holograms and 3D models.

The president’s message was filmed using TetaVi‘s volumetric capture system, in collaboration with 8th Wall, a platform for building interactive web-based augmented reality (AR) experiences, and Omnivor, a streaming volumetric video company.

The AR program works best on devices like iPhone 7 and up, Samsung S8, A50 and up, and LG G5 and up, a Government Press Office statement says.

In order to access the program, users can go to a website and scan the QR code with their camera. The size of the president’s hologram can be changed on the screen using two fingers.