The Tower of David Museum (ToD) at Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel, held a grand opening for its new Innovation Lab on Tuesday evening. The ToD Museum housed within the walls of the ancient fortress of King Herrod is to be new home for some of Israel's latest technology development. 

Eilat Lieber, Director and Chief Curator, envisions technology coming from the ancient stones as a  "leap into tomorrow." Augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology is to enhance the visitors' museum experience. The days of walking through a museum and reading signs is of the past. The future involves integrating AR/VR to reach the younger generation who have grown up with interactive games, cell phones, ipads, and apps, to not just observe, but to experience.

Yearly, 400,000 visitors pass through the Tower of David. Soon we may be able to experience it remotely, using the next generation of AR/VR from these and other Israeli startups.

Over twenty businesses participated in the Innovation Lab launch, including several software companies, plus, included in photo essay:

Cybermoon - CEO and owner, Amitay Dan, was near the ToD entrance with his robots, which could be operated by eye movements wearing special glasses. Not only good for museum patrons, this technology could be useful in multiple medical applications. Cybermoon robots can go on land, space, under-water, and underground.

Sixdof.space, also had a robot on display. Mark Goldfarb, CEO and his team have developed AR/VR headsets with high-speed optical rotation sensor. According to Goldfarb, "Users took a giant step backwards when they traded away display size for portability, as we moved into the smartphone era. VR offers an industry shake-up, the opportunity to restore display real estate without requiring the physical bulk, but first, we have to solve the nausea problem."  These new headsets keep users are free from feelings of motion sickness. 

TourVR, Instant Experience, Yotam Elal, CEO, has developed a means to shop on the go. In the future, no waiting to go to museum gift shop on the way out to select your purchases, see something you would like, just press a button. Elal explained his startup technology has other applications as well.

Amuse App, creator Alan J Wecker, says his technology will connect the museum visitor to other and more cultural heritages sites according to their interests, to expand the visitor experience.

Forget those QR codes, Speechcodes, can give a 40-minute audio, with no internet or WiFi needed, from a colorful square some what larger than a postage stamp.

Integrating people into the game, is Speculo, Co-founder and CEO, Dror Barash's technology. Barash's on-the-go two year old inspired his work.

Eureka World, is already connecting students in the digital universe with 3D interactive educational experiences.

Boaz Feldman of Woojer, showed BJL examples of his technology to unite audio and touch for better experiences. 

Apperaria, supplies easy to use and affordable AR/VR technologies. 

AROS Labs, provides a platform enabling AR in the outdoors.

Texel VR, Amir Segev, and Inception VR were two software presenters at ToD Innovation launch.

One day in the not so distant future, with these developing AR/VR technologies, we could experience the ancient pools of King Herrod, by putting on our AR/VR glasses. Imagine sitting in our living rooms, and experiencing walking within the ancient stone walls.