Sunday Sep 08, 2024
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Softlogic Life brought a new meaning to Vesak celebrations in Sri Lanka this year with a cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) experience. Enhancing the traditional festivities with a blend of technology and spirituality, this unique effort was Sri Lanka’s first geo-located AR experience. Placed at the Softlogic Life roundabout in front of the Presidential Secretariat, the unique AR experience was made accessible through a QR code from 23 to 29 May.
Once the QR code was scanned and smartphones were directed towards the Softlogic Life roundabout, the depiction of Lord Buddha’s birth came to life on the screens, showcasing the significance of this event using mesmerising AR and crafting 3D images that artfully evoke natural beauty through Midjourney. As part of the experience, the Sal tree appeared alongside the cone within the roundabout along with the rest of the characters; Prince Siddhartha and Queen Mahamaya.
Furthermore, when the smartphone is directed towards the sky, gods were seen to be showering flowers from heaven. Several other elements including the movements of characters have been added to make the experience livelier and mesmerising. Along with this, a narration explained the significance of Lord Buddha’s birth, during which he proclaimed his promise of Buddhism to the world. All of this together gave an immersive experience to all sightseers and due to higher demand, the same experience was installed at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo.
Softlogic Life Head of Marketing Chamindri Pilimatalauwe said: “The birth of Lord Buddha during Vesak holds immense significance to Buddhists, symbolising the power of a promise and how living up to that proclaimed promise has given the world ‘Buddhism’ that stands strong even after 2,500 years. As a brand we decided to connect with this concept of a promise because this is what Softlogic Life is all about, inspiring Sri Lankan’s to fearlessly pursue what they love ‘The Honda Leda’ with the ultimate promise that we will be there to take care of them as the best health insurer. So, what’s better than a promise that is over 2,500 years old and is timeless that it still lights up the lives of every Buddhist.
“But of course, we didn’t want to just do it the traditional way, instead we did it the Softlogic Life way, we used technology to be relevant and memorable. Augmented reality was combined with spiritual story-telling because we wanted to make the story more engaging and accessible for everyone, so that even the younger generations would want to rally their older generations to come experience it and especially for the younger generation to see it and be inspired by it.”
Softlogic Life’s AR Vesak experience yet again affirms the company’s reputation as Sri Lanka’s most innovative insurance brand that blends tradition with modern technology. This creative interpretation of Lord Buddha’s birth is a first-of-its-kind initiative, offering a unique and immersive way to celebrate this sacred occasion. It also represents a collaborative effort between technology and the cultural nuances of Buddhists across the country, creating a rich, engaging experience that has never been seen before. This initiative underscores Softlogic Life’s commitment to being truly Sri Lankan and embracing innovation while honouring and enriching different cultural heritages of Sri Lanka.