Adele MAGNELLI | Matteo VENTRELLA
(ETT s.p.a., Genova, Italy)
Keywords: Augmented reality, mobile app, Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons
Abstract:
This paper will describe the mobile App designed and developed by ETT s.p.a. ICT company for the new wing of the Gallerie dell’Accademia Museum in Venice (Italy), recently opened to the public. The Mobile App is a real videoguide which integrates the BLE (the Bluetooth Low Energy) technology with Augmented Reality solutions to retrieve geolocation information from transmitters Beacons, and automatically shows the gallery of the works in the room in which the visitor is located. Designed for different types of users (Children, Teenagers, Adults), it helps to investigate aspects and details of the works that cannot be perceived naturally in order to make the visit to the Gallerie more interesting also to children and young people who can learn the history of the structure and the works while having fun. The app contains features such as thematic routes and augmented reality contents through which visitors can see what emerged during restoration work, or view the artworks in three-dimensional mode, in addition to enjoy videos with in-depth information, available for some of the artworks, and gaming features. Augmented reality features were developed using image recognition techniques that allow the visitor to recognize the works by using the camera of the mobile device. A precise tracking of all the works in the structure was made, in order to allow the application to draw information from a local dictionary, no need for internet connection. Thanks to the AR solutions integrated with the Beacons, the visitor is able to access the information more quickly and better understand the value of the masterpieces exposed in the Gallerie.