BBC is launching an augmented reality (AR) app that will let people browse through historical relics from UK museums in the app’s virtual exhibitions. The artifacts that the users will see are from ancient civilizations and will let them look into the artifacts like looking at a mummy inside a sarcophagus.
The ‘Civilisations AR’ app has been developed by BBC Research & Development and Nexus Studios. To build the app BBC visited 30 museums in the UK.
It is the first time that BBC will be introducing an app pertaining to augmented reality.
Like BBC, other broadcasters are also experimenting with this technology.
The app that is available on both iOS and Android, is being consecutively introduced with its latest BBC TV series ‘Civilisations’ that will showcase the art and history from all across the world.
The app not only allows users to see the artifacts, but also is engaging as it has feature that allows users to ‘rub’ the old and faded sculptures to bring out the looks during their original times.
The app showcases:
- an Egyptian mummy from the Torquay Museum
- Rodin’s The Kiss from the National Museum of Wales
- the Umbrian Madonna and Child from the National Museum of Scotland
Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen who believes that although AR hasn’t attained its full potential, is an entertaining yet an advanced way to share information, told the BBC: “What Apple and Google did has made a huge impact.”
He also said that AR owns has the capability of getting implemented in a wide range of industries.