09/10/2006

An innovative virtual tour-guide system enables visitors to archaeological and cultural sites to use their 3G cellular phones as a multimedia guide which has been developed as part of the AGAMEMNON project. This is an interactive system that enables users to photograph an object that interests them with a camera-equipped 3G mobile phone with a built-in camera, send the photo to the AGAMEMNON central database and then receive the relevant information (text, video, images, 3D reconstructions, etc.).

The system also enables tours around an archaeological site to be planned based on interests, cultural education, and the time available to each visitor. The route is constantly updated as the visitor moves around the site. The system also accepts voice commands about objects or sites that the visitor is interested in learning about.

The project was co-financed by the EU's 6th Framework Programme for Research as part of the Information Society Technologies (IST) thematic priority. It was implemented by organisations with extensive experience in the fields of archaeology and new technologies from Italy (TxT Solution, University of Genova, Paestrum Foundation), the UK, (MJC2) and Greece (ANCO SA, 4th Ephoria of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities / Ministry of Culture).

According to the project coordinator, Mr Matteo Villa, the system can generate significant gains for archaeological and cultural sites; firstly, because organisations do not need to invest in or maintain electronic tour-guide systems; secondly, because more visitors are expected to be attracted in this way. Moreover, the system can also be utilised to improve site security, with something akin to a CCTV system being developed based on visitor images.

The interactive system has already been put into pilot operation at the archaeological sites of Paestrum (Italy) and Mycenae (Greece). The first results from operation of the image identification technology are particularly encouraging, although some improvements are required for monuments that are not well preserved and not easily recognisable. Researchers from the University of Genova are also using geographical positioning systems (GPS) to support image identification, although the specific systems are not yet available on many mobile phones. With archaeological sites located in remote areas not covered by high-speed networks, the AGAMEMNON system also covers low bandwidth connections but offers less information to visitors. agamemnon.jpg

Source: AGAMEMNON project