Innovative Cultural Experience (ICE), an Augmented Reality system for promoting cultural heritage

Abstract

Innovative Cultural Experience (ICE) is an Augmented Reality (AR) system for promoting cultural heritage. ICE combines cutting-edge technologies such as an interactive transparent screen, AR, motion sensors and multimedia material in order to provide a unique personal or mass-touring experience, utilizing information based on material and intangible cultural heritage, through narrative scenarios. Part of the ICE system is an interactive transparent box in which an exhibit can be placed. When a user/visitor approaches the exhibit, multimedia information is displayed on the transparent screen of the box, creating an interactive AR experience for the user. Users can interact with the content which can be text, images, videos, 360 images, 360 videos, 3D models or even play games based on the exhibit that is in front of them. By combining the real exhibit with digital information displayed on top, an interactive AR experience is created. Additionally, users can provide feedback by recording and uploading text, images, and videos to the ICE system. ICE is cognitively neutral (domain independent) technology, which makes it useful for a variety of thematic items (from museum exhibits to folk customs, local recipes, etc.) and it can be used also in education, commercial and in the tourist sectors. This paper presents the architecture of the ICE system, and the technologies used for building it. Initial internal evaluation results show that the system is easy to use, and users tend to stay longer in front of the exhibit, interacting with it, thus collecting more information about it.