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February
2007
Espro
Acoustiguide and lesswire Launch a New Positioning & Orientation Technology
As a part
of a strategic partnership, the two companies have developed a proprietary
technology which automatically detects visitors’ positions within the museum
space and helps visitor orientation
Espro
Acoustiguide, the global provider of audio and multimedia interpretation systems
and content, and lesswire, an expert technology provider for wireless solutions,
are pleased to announce they have developed a pioneering positioning and
orientation system which overcomes the major problems that have been inherent
with previous systems trialled in museums.
Many large or
complex museums find that their visitors often get disorientated within their
sites; that they have difficulty finding their way through the museum’s
galleries, and locating individual objects or points of interest. However,
previous trials of positioning technology have not been completely successful
and not met museums specific needs.
The Espro
Acoustiguide system provides museums with a positioning and orientation tool
that enables their visitors to know their precise location within the museum,
assists them in exploring the museums collections and provides them with
specific content based on their location.
The
system, which comprises of a positioning technology and orientation software, is
a breakthrough in more than one aspect. With almost no wires or cables required,
it is simple and easy to install, and therefore friendly to the museum
environment. It also has an unprecedented response time: visitors entering an
area covered by the system are ‘detected’ within 1-2 seconds and have content or
orientation guidance activated on their players screen immediately. This ensures
visitors receive information when they are in the correct position.
The
system was successfully trialled at the Musée
d’Orsay and a tour using the positioning technology will be installed and fully
operational in the museum. The tour will be designed for visitors who wish to be
guided through the museums highlights in an efficient way. The tour will be
offered in addition to Espro Acoustiguide’s traditional random access audio
tours which have been available at the museum since early 2006.
The
intellectual property rights for the technology that makes up the system are
co-owned by Espro Acoustiguide and lesswire. The system can be utilized with
most multimedia devices.
Ralph
Meyfarth, CEO of lesswire commented:
“As wireless technology providers we are very happy in establishing a strategic
partnership with Espro Acoustiguide, one of the market leaders for guiding
solutions in museums and exhibitions. The partnership will offer new business
opportunities for both companies. As a first result, a breakthrough solution for
wireless positioning in museum environments has been developed, which makes use
of our basic wireless location-aware technology. With Espro Acoustiguide we have
found our marketing partner to offer new location-aware services to museums and
exhibitions”.
Shmuel Shalem, CTO of Espro Acoustiguide Group added: “I am very pleased to have joined forces with lesswire on
developing this very important technology for our markets. We regard this
development as a substantial jump forward in positioning and orientation
technology which further expands the scale of the services we offer for large or
complex sites. With a variety of uses, the provision of a location-aware
solution not only enhances the potential use of our technology within the museum
environment but also within the mobile entertainment market. We are pleased to
add location-based services as an integral part of our offering, and are very
proud to offer a system that comprehensively meets the demands of the museum
sector.
About
lesswire AG:
lesswire AG is a
professional service provider for wireless solutions with focus to automotive
and industry. Our solutions are based on WLAN, Bluetooth®, ZigBee or GPRS/GSM
and include wireless real-time applications, long range communication and
localization. Since 1999 lesswire is an Associate Member of Bluetooth® SIG.
We support our
customers with the development of strategies and with creative solutions in
wireless technologies. lesswire services range from conception to the
realization of turn-key applications including embedded wireless development
with custom-specific hardware and software. For further information, please
visit the company web site at:
www.lesswire.com
About
Espro Acoustigide:
Espro is a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of audio and
multimedia hand held interpretive systems and multi-lingual content. Espro’s
products and services are used in museums, cultural and visitor centres, walking
tours and trade shows worldwide. The client base of the Group includes over 400
active sites, and comprises some of the world's best known museums and heritage
sites, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of
Art in Washington, the Orsay Museum and the Rodin Museum in Paris, the Imperial
War Museum in London, the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, the State Hermitage Museum
in St. Petersburg, the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna, the Israel Museum in
Jerusalem, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels and the
Forbidden City in Beijing. The Group has 8 subsidiaries worldwide. For further
information, please visit the Group website at www.espro.com.
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