Peel-X, based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, is making its mark on the world of immersive tech, virtual and augmented reality with three wins and nominations in a number of major awards, for its ground-breaking work in digital storytelling.
Uist Unearthed Project (Augmented Reality App and Mixed Media Touring Exhibition) triumphed with three awards – Archaeological Innovation, Best Public Dissemination or Presentation of Archaeology and Outstanding Achievement Award Winner – at the prestigious Council for British Archaeological Achievement Awards 2022, held at Dublin Castle Tuesday 29th November 2022.
Peel-X created the Uist Unearthed mobile app which allows visitors to experience some of the Western Isles’ most significant ancient sites, along the Hebridean Way. Reconstructing important archaeological sites using AR, 3D models, animations and audio, visitors can enjoy an immersive experience of how these sites would have looked over 3,500 years ago.
Peel-X technology and innovation also received global recognition recently as Dublin City’s Smart Tourism Programme took the Best Digital & Innovation Award, at the Global Tourism Innovation Awards 2022, held in Seville.
The award was given in recognition of its use of smart technology, innovation and data analysis, to build a more accessible, sustainable and equitable destination, creating prosperity for locals and better experiences for visitors. Peel-X conceptualized, visualized and realised the council’s flagship Dublin Discovery Trails Augmented Reality app, part of its Smart Tourism Programme.
This pioneering Yorkshire-based company, with an expanding portfolio of international and high-profile clients, now anxiously awaits the results of a number of award nominations for its innovative work.
It was shortlisted for two categories in the Children and Young People Now Awards 2022. GameChanger – a programme of educational intervention, featuring immersive learning packages to raise awareness of and prevention of child criminal exploitation – in the Arts & Culture and Partnership Working categories. Now in its 17th year, the CYP Now Awards recognise those working with children, young people and families and offer an opportunity to raise the profile of projects and initiatives.
Peel-X, Managing Director, Jessica Wright, said: “It’s a really exciting time for Peel-X, the world of immersive tech and digital storytelling, bringing together Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR). We can now take the user beyond imagination into virtual reality that can skip across time and create a multi-sensory experience.
“Our multi-disciplinary team of animators, 3D modellers, developers and writers are helping clients to break exciting new ground, risk-free and in total confidence, as they take their first step into immersive technologies.”
Peel-X was also recognised as ‘one of the UKs immersive studios to watch’ when it became one of eight immersive studios invited to take part in a pitch/accelerator programme with Digital Catapult and Niantic, the leading American software developer, behind reality games such as Ingress and Pokémon Go. Being in the top eight of the UKs leading immersive design studios, propels the Skipton-based company, nestling in the North Yorkshire countryside, into the global metaverse as a leader in AR technology.
Jessica explains: “We are delighted to be included as one of the top eight companies in emerging, immersive tech. This recognition has propelled us as a company, into the next level. It is testament to the hard work of the team of the past few years, where we’ve been pushing the boundaries of new technology to create experiences that enrich, engage, enlighten and entertain.
“In doing so, we transport audiences to new realms where they can delight in seeing things differently as the boundless depths of our collective imaginations realised on screen.”
