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Museum offers ‘augmented reality’ experience

Is augmented reality the future of museum exhibitions?
Is augmented reality the future of museum exhibitions?

Visiting the museum just got a little more more interesting.

The Asian Civilisation Museum (ACM) is introducing a new iPhone application that combines augmented reality and location-based gaming in conjunction with its upcoming Terracotta Warriors exhibition.

The application, developed by Magma Studios, will enable visitors who are also iPhone users to see exhibits come alive on their phones, which can help engage visitors on a more personal level.

"Technology has redefined how we interact and learn today, especially among the younger generation. As a museum, we also want to connect with our visitors in their terms, and this iPhone app allows us to offer them a novel multi-sensory experience, available only at our museum," T. Sundraraj, ACM deputy director of programmes and audience development, told members of the media present at the preview event on Wednesday.

Chris Jones, creative director and co-founder of Magma Studios, demonstrated how the augmented reality function of the application, which uses "String Augmented Reality" technology that has not been commercially released yet, works.

Magma Studios' Chris Jones demonstrates the augmented reality function of the app.
Magma Studios' Chris Jones demonstrates the augmented reality function of the app.

He also explained that, through the location-based gaming function, visitors who locate certain markers placed along artifacts can unlock various games within the app.

Jones added that the application was developed in approximately one-and-a-half months, which is a considerably short amount of time.

When quizzed on whether the development of this application -- which only exists on the iPhone platform -- will alienate non-iPhone wielding visitors, Sundraraj said the museum was not worried.

He said that ACM will have other activities to keep their visitors occupied, like an archeological pit for children as well as models of terracotta warriors that can be dismantled and rebuilt like puzzles.

Sundraraj added that the use of the application in the terracotta exhibition will be taken as a test of the effectiveness of incorporating augmented reality into their exhibits.

"After this test, hopefully we can put it to use on other other exhibits as well," he said.

Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor and His Legacy will be on display from 24 June to 16 October 2011. The ACM Terracotta Warriors iPhone application is now available for free download in the App Store.

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