Mobile augmented reality in an arts museum

Abstract

Advancements in information communication technology have enabled the interaction between human beings and the material world in various ways. Mobile phones have become a necessity in everyday life for many people and new applications are being created on a regular basis to extend the capabilities of this device. By using the mobile camera as a sensor for detecting particular objects, virtual information can be superimposed in the user's physical setting to create a realistic vision that both entities co-exist in the same environment. This dissertation aims at presenting augmented reality as an ideal tool for enhancing visitors' experience in an arts museum. This is achieved through the development of a mobile application that allows visitors to view virtual information and computer generated graphics of works of arts in greater details. By implementing the application on the open source Symbian platform, the 'Museum AR' system can be run on a wide range of mobile devices. The system is put to test at an evaluation session held at a local arts museum. The positive feedback gathered from museum visitors continue to prove the usability of mobile augmented reality, especially in reference to the benefits offered to arts museums by implementing this technology.