Interactivity and innovation put Kiwis on top at World Summit Awards

By Idealog, June 22, 2011 @ 6 am

Three New Zealand multimedia projects have been named among 40 winners at the World Summit Awards in Hong Kong.

Competing with more than 460 entries from 105 UN member states, they now have the opportunity to attend an award ceremony in Cairo later this year, and present their work in a three-day "Global Creatives" get-together.

First introduced by Austria in 2003, the awards honour innovation and excellence in multimedia, IT applications and e-eontent creation. A special emphasis is placed on concepts which demonstrate a benefit for the development of society at large. Judges also looked for "value-add", or products and services which would find a market overseas and lift New Zealand's international profile.

InternetNZ has backed the New Zealand arm of the WSA since its inception. Says chief executive Vikram Kumar: “An open Internet is critical for New Zealand’s social and economic future. The breadth and impact of the innovation the Internet has sparked off is truly great.

"Year after year the WSA uncovers online content and services that surprise and delight us. They represent the best of New Zealand on the world stage.”

The winning Kiwi entries:

Areoscan, a web-based service that enables the user to create a 3D model of any area or object using digital photographs. (See Idealog story here.) Whatever the need, Areoscan takes a real-life subject and automatically generates a 3D model in the same way a 3D laser scanner does, but without the need for specialised equipment. (e-Business & Commerce)

The Vaeggen Interactive WALL, a massive but mobile interactive video installation on the streets of Copenhagen that allows citizens and visitors to explore the cultural past, present, and future of the city and its diverse populations. Based initially on the  heritage collections of the Museum of Copenhagen, the WALL is also the public multimedia repository for cultural assets emerging from the large-scale archaeological excavations being undertaken in the old city centre for the next seven years. (e-Culture & Heritage)

SPARX, a computerised self-help programme to help young people combat depression. It was developed by a team of therapists, researchers, game developers, e-learning theorists and young people. It takes the form of an animated 3D game where users learn real-life skills by solving challenges to rid a fantasy world from gloom and negativity.  (e-Health & Environment)

The full list of NZ submissions

• The Vaeggen Interactive Wall in Copenhagen, e-Culture & Heritage
• MiniMonos, e-Entertainment & Games 
• SPARX, e-Health & Environment
• Q Book, e-Learning & Education 
• New Zealand - A Window to Radio Universe, e-Science & Technology
• The New Zealand Land Use and Carbon Analysis System - LUCAS, e-Government & Institutions
• Areoscan, e-Business & Commerce
• The Mixing Room, e-Inclusion & Participation