Proposal for the Avesta Steelworks Visitors experience

3.4 Technology: hidden intelligence

There is a much used term in the latest technology debates: 'augmented reality'. In essence it talks about the possibility of extending real life environments with the help interactive media and interfaces, that link the physical space to digital information.

This means that we can overlay interactive media with physical spaces, creating new environmental entities that challenge the perception of our world.

To achieve this, one has to look at information technology not as a unit or device, but as an enabling structure that merges into the fabric of the space. Control signals, streamed media, sensors, output devices and computers are linked to that invisible system. But the effects inform a profound spatial relation ship.

For example: What area does the speaker cover, what is the aspect ratio of the projection in relation to the panel it covers, how does the sensor react at a certain angle and distance. These technical factors inform the design and vice versa.

In the Meta.L.Hyttan the idea of extending the space with personalized content is realized by using a special exploration tool, a flash light. The space is divided into distinct interactive zones, that are each marked with yellow rings as hotspots. When the visitor is pointing the flashlight at the hotspot, an invisible infrared signal also travels from the personal flash light to the hotspot. This is identifying the visitor and their choice of lamp to the system in the background, which can then automatically trigger the various local media events associated to the zone.

The underlying system uses standard network technology, running the same protocols that operate on office networks and the global internet. Together with a an adaptable software platform, developed by the Interactive Institute, this system becomes easily scalable and cost efficient.

SMART studio EMOTIONAL studio