The virtual nature guide of Otterfinger developer Thomas Rychly and his team was awarded by the Ministry of the Environment.
Plans are to be implemented with the prize money.
Otterfing - In July, the nature guide from Otterfinger developer Thomas Rychly (64) and his team members Antje Bornhak and Mukunda Hubmann took the first hurdle: He made it into the top 20 in the Bavarian Ministry of Environment's “Wilded” ideas competition (we reported).
Now it is clear: the website, which virtually guides you through the Spitzing area with 360-degree views, has won.
It took first place in the “Innovation” category - endowed with 5000 euros.
In an interview, Rychly explains what the profit will be used for, how the project is developing and what makes the nature guide so special.
Interview with Thomas Rychly: Nature guide of the Otterfinger developer award-winning - "innovative medium"
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Thomas Rychly, developer of the VR nature guide.
© Thomas Plettenberg
Mr. Rychly, how did your naturalist guide make it to first place?
Rychly:
I don't see the outside world - and I don't want to judge other projects.
But I like to quote the jury, who classify the nature guide as “a creative and novel idea”.
The fact that the platform draws attention to nature-friendly behavior in its own way was well received.
The presentation as "an innovative medium that - virtually and interactively - picks up young people in particular" was praised, as was the technical and visual implementation.
Did you expect victory?
Rychly:
As a developer, I always work something into the blue.
Friends and acquaintances usually find the results good.
But: Just like my own view, that of those around me may sometimes be biased.
So we had already raised our hopes in the team, but were ultimately surprised.
With such a large amount of work, the price is of course nice as confirmation.
What do you do with the prize money?
Rychly:
I share the 5000 euros with geographer Antje Bornhak and our sustainability expert Mukunda Hubmann.
We need part of the money to cover costs.
And then we have ideas for development.
Where do you want to go?
Rychly:
We would like a landing page - a website that explains and links the nature guide.
The project should also grow and at some point bring in money.
For this we offer the nature guide tourism associations - of course with the option of realizing it for other regions as well.
Our vision is to let the platform grow into a community on which guest contributions from rangers or residents can be added to individual points in the landscape.
Professional speakers for the videos would also be great.
Maybe the Ministry of the Environment also has a few more ideas (laughs).
We are invited to the award ceremony.
You want to continue to educate users virtually about real dangers. How well does it work?
Rychly:
I used to ride my mountain bike in the mountains at night - because I didn't know the effects.
Most visitors don't want to go wrong, they don't go to the area to harm anyone.
But many do not know the massive stress for the animals and their limited rest periods.
Since I found out about it, I no longer drive at night.
The hope is that the platform will reach as many such people as possible and explain to them in which areas which dangers for nature lurk.
How is the offer being accepted?
Rychly:
I followed the numbers for a while, when it was about 100 hits a day.
Of course, you only reach a certain level with the nature guide - the people who also want to learn something.
But as long as there are complaints about day trippers in our district - the work and the development will be worthwhile.
The interview was conducted by Jonas Napiletzki.
The nature guide
is available at www.vr-easy.com/12176.
Overcrowded excursion destinations in the Miesbach district should be relieved by means of digital visitor management - but the excursion sticker is not yet fully operational.
