Glasgow firm allowing millions to virtually 'attend' Biden inauguration

A Glasgow company's allowing people around the world to take part in a virtual inauguration of Joe Biden, with the help of a satellite in space.

Spelfie's encouraging us to take a picture of ourselves at home, which will then be linked to a high resolution image of Capitol Hill.

Users will be able to share this on social media.

“Everyone in the world will be able to be in the room where it happens, despite being in their living rooms,” explained Spelfie Founder Chris Newlands.

“They will receive their selfie alongside (real-time) satellite imagery as it appears from space with an ‘astronauts eye view’ of the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument toward the Capitol building, where the inaugural ceremony will be held, swearing in President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris."

Real-time satellite images of the inauguration will be taken courtesy of cameras aboard Airbus Earth-observation satellites and will then be optimised for social sharing using Microsoft technology.

1.2 million images can be shared every minute to the potentially millions of people ‘attending’ the inauguration with their personalised, socially distanced space selfie.

The Spelfie app has been made free for users across the world to participate in the first socially distanced US Presidential Inauguration.

“We know that coronavirus is precluding the large attendances normally afforded to Presidential Inaugurations, therefore, we are offering people a new perspective and we would love for the 59th Inauguration to be the most ‘remotely attended’ in history,” added Mr Newlands.

The company's hoping tens of millions will take part. You can find out more here: https://spelfie.com

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