AR, or augmented reality, has rapidly been inserting itself into our daily lives over the past few years. Once thought of as a nothing more than a figment of science fiction, AR is now accessible to us at the click of a button. Or, more commonly, the tap of a smartphone screen.
When used well, AR tech can support or even replace the traditional tour or re-enactment. By bringing forward information, showing areas and artefacts in context, and bringing liveliness and dynamism to historical settings, it can add to the visitor experience and increase understanding.
Examples of AR in action:
Bridge Trails
A fine example of AR in action today can be found at Clifton Suspension Bridge in the UK. To enhance the user experience of the site, the Bridge Trails app was developed to allow users to explore audio and visual content at fifteen distinct points on and around the famous bridge.
This includes guided narration and artists’ impressions. Walking along the bridge one will find a number of AR updates at intermittent points. Importantly, though, the app also allows users to explore the bridge virtually from any location – ensuring that education needn’t finish at the end of the trip.
The National Museum of Singapore
In museum spaces, AR has been equally successful. In the National Museum of Singapore, an immersive installation called Story of the Forest received critical praise. This exhibit focuses on 69 images from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings.
For more information of AR being used in cultural heritage, follow link below:
https://www.museumnext.com/article/what-can-ar-do-to-bring-heritage-sites-to-life/
