AR app lets the dead speak

A new app is designed to display virtual gravesites in real locations where the bereaved can communicate with their deceased. However, the app can also be used in other ways so that users can deliver any message in a surprising way.

The land of the rising sun and crazy stories has once again surprised us with another absurd piece of news: 33-year-old Japanese Yoshiyuki Katori, managing director of a company that manufactures gravestones, had a special idea: he wants to use a smartphone app to enable bereaved people to set up virtual gravesites for their deceased loved ones in real locations. A lifelong dream has come true.

Video message from the dead

If you visit the gravesite, messages, pictures or videos are shown on the smartphone display in the form of digital overlays that were left by the bereaved or the deceased at predefined locations before their death. The app is called "Spot Message" and, according to the inventor, is intended to give mourners the opportunity to visit their loved ones at selected memorial sites as if they were still alive.

Katori explains: "My uncle ran a painting business and died in an accident eight years ago. I respected him very much and often visit him at his grave. I wondered how comforting it would be if he could encourage me there or ask me how I was doing."

Also suitable for marriage proposals or mountaineering

According to Katori, the app can also be used for other purposes: A husband can leave a message at the place of the marriage proposal or surprise his wife on their anniversary. Mountaineers can also send virtual messages of congratulations to fellow climbers on a mountain peak. The areas of application are truly very diverse.

Spot Message can be used free of charge for Android  and in the Apple Store but the app is currently only available in Japanese. Once you have registered, you can leave up to ten messages free of charge from anywhere in the world. If you want to set up up to 30 messages and share them with up to 200 people, you have to pay a monthly fee.

A few ideas on how to use Spot Message and the English translation can be found in the following video article

Source: Vrodo / Youtube