In 1955, amid the tensions of the post-Cold War era, the space race broke out between the United States and the Soviet Union.Â
During this period, Dr. Gladys West was employed at the United States Naval Weapons Laboratory, which housed the Naval Space Surveillance Center until 2004. As a mathematician, Dr. West was instrumental in crunching numbers and analyzing data from satellites, tasks that were pivotal in pinpointing their precise locations.
This foundational work on the geoid model was crucial in developing what would later be optimized for the Global Positioning System (GPS).
But these are the tales of the early 2000s. What does location-based technology look like in the advanced 21st century?Â
For museums, this technology is particularly helpful in the case of outdoor exhibitions.Â
Imagine a museum where visitors no longer rely on static maps or infrequent signage to navigate through expansive outdoor installations.Â
Instead, they use their mobile devices to receive real-time, precise location data that guides them seamlessly from one exhibit to the next.
Incorporating GPS and other location-based technologies into museum settings dramatically improves the visitor experience by 3 Es - Engagement, Education, and Enjoyment.Â
So, let's explore location-based technology in detail and understand its benefits in the museum industry.
Location-Based Solutions In Outdoor Museum Experiences
Museums are often tasked with two crucial challenges:
Preserving delicate artifacts
Making these artifacts available and engaging the public
In outdoor spaces, visitors often find themselves disoriented in large, sprawling areas, struggling to locate specific exhibits or missing out on entire sections.Â
Moreover, 85% of people visiting an open-air museum are tourists. Therefore, navigating these spaces without help becomes an ever bigger challenge for them due to reasons such as language barriers.Â
So, how does location-based technology offer an innovative solution here?
Interactive Maps and Augmented Reality: Visitors can use their smartphones to access interactive maps that update in real-time as they move. Augmented reality (AR) can overlay historical contexts, interesting facts, or even lifelike animations directly onto their device screens, making each step of their journey an engaging discovery.
Audio Guides and Contextual Information: Tailored audio guides can automatically play as visitors approach specific exhibits, providing contextually rich narratives that enhance understanding and appreciation of the artifacts.
Gamification and Interactive Challenges: Location-based technology allows museums to introduce elements of gamification into their exhibits. Scavenger hunts or educational challenges can be set up with visitors receiving clues and tasks based on their real-time positions, adding a layer of excitement and learning.
Safety and Emergency Assistance: In large or complex outdoor areas, safety becomes a priority. Location-based systems can offer quick access to emergency services and provide museum staff with real-time data on visitor distributions, helping to manage crowds more effectively and ensuring a safer environment.
Interactive Maps And Augmented Reality
In 1998, French artist Niki de Saint Phalle created the Tarot Garden, nestled in the Tuscan Hills of Italy.Â
Spread across 14 acres, this garden is dotted with 22 colossal sculptures inspired by the tarot deck - sea monsters and goddesses, all rendered in exaggerated, whimsical proportions.
While the garden’s website offers an imaginative interactive map, here's how integrating location-based technology could make it even more interesting.
As you wander among the fantastical sculptures, real-time notifications could greet you. Using geofencing technology, detailed information pops up on your mobile screen about each piece you encounter.
With such a vast area to explore, the app could also guide you to the nearest restrooms or suggest spots to grab a snack.Â
Audio Guides And Contextual Information
As per studies, 54% of audiophiles report that spoken-word audio engages them more positively compared to other forms of media.
This is why, we decided to explore audio guides during our partnership with the Tibet Museum.
Here's how the journey unfolded:
We leveraged the Tibet Museum Mobile App to break down language barriers by offering audio-visual tours in English and ten other languages, making Tibetan culture accessible worldwide. It integrates social media connectivity, allowing users to share their experiences and broaden the community of Tibetan culture enthusiasts.
For those unable to visit the Tibet Museum in Dharamshala, the app provides virtual tours of its galleries. These digital experiences, complete with narrations and interactive elements, replicate the educational value of an in-person visit.
Since these additions, the Tibet Museum Mobile App has achieved significant engagement with 1,735 registered users, 1,237 active users, 4,526 points visited, 475 QR scans, and usage spread across web (32%), Android (18%), and iOS (50%).
Gamification And Interactive Challenges
On April 4th, 2014, in observance of the UN’s International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the New Museum in New York City transported people to landmine-affected regions.
How?
Using iBeacon technology that broadcasts a Bluetooth signal detectable by nearby smartphones and tablets, the museum created a simulated minefield.
First, visitors were invited to download the "Sweeper" app, which interacted seamlessly with iBeacons placed discreetly throughout the gallery. These beacons were programmed to act as hidden landmines.
Next, as visitors navigate through the space, drawing too close to a beacon would trigger a simulated explosion through their headphones, accompanied by an immersive audio testimony recounting personal stories of those who have survived real landmine explosions.
Now, isn't this an experience you'd still talk about years later?
Safety And Visitor Empowerment
In collaboration with Street Art Tours in South Delhi, we wanted to make the visitors feel empowered and safe using engaging self-guided tours. Here's how we carried it out:
Launched in partnership with Asian Paints Limited and St+art India Foundation, these tours showcase vibrant street art across South Delhi’s Lodhi Colony and Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar, featuring over 50 artists from India and abroad.
Our location-based audio-visual tours leverage advanced technology to enhance user interaction and deepen cultural immersion. Each piece of art is equipped with QR codes, allowing visitors to access detailed audio descriptions that enrich their understanding of the art and its context.
Visitors could engage with the tours at their own pace, 24/7, without the need for physical guides or additional hardware.
The HopOn India App integrates these tours seamlessly with other city explorations, which improves accessibility and includes authentic street sounds and subtle sponsor integrations.
Your Partner For Location-Based Museum Tech
With the wealth of possibilities presented by location-based technology for enhancing museum experiences, you might be wondering about the next steps for integrating this cutting-edge technology into your institution.
While location-based technology comes with a myriad of features that require a learning curve, you can streamline the integration process by partnering with a specialized firm like Museums22.
Here’s what Museums22’s basic GPS Tours App $149 plan unlocks for your institution:
Progressive Web App (PWA): This platform ensures a seamless and efficient user experience on various devices without needing a traditional app installation.
Analytics Dashboard: Helps track user engagement and tour effectiveness, providing insights to improve and tailor future tours.
Content Management System (CMS): An easy-to-use interface for managing and updating tour content, ensuring the information remains fresh and engaging.
Cloud Space Included: Provides ample cloud storage for hosting audio, visual, and other tour-related content, supporting rich media integration.
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