Stirling Council has unveiled a project with BT and tech innovation company Seymour Powell that it claims will make it the first augmented reality (AR) city in the world.
The council has invested £200,000, through funding from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, to deploy a software that will provide an interactive guide for visitors to the city through a smartphone app named Stirling XP. They can access directions and interactions by holding up their smartphones as they walk around the city.
It has been developed on the Google ARCore Geospatial API, and the move follows a substantial investment in fibre broadband and BT’s roll out of 4G and 5G in the area.
Revolutionise the experience
Leader of the council Cllr Chris Kane said: “Offering this complete AR environment across Stirling is an exciting world first and will revolutionise the visitor experience in our amazing city.
“Stirling’s historic city centre and world class attractions will be overlaid with interactive information, graphics, 3D models and much more, creating a fully immersive and dynamic experience that no other city currently offers.
“Stirling is already a must visit destination and this pioneering product will raise the city’s profile and attract more people to come here, boosting the wider tourism economy.
“The new free app will also open up a plethora of fantastic opportunities for local businesses and will make Stirling a more inclusive and accessible place that’s setting the world standard for next generation tourism.”
The council said the Stirling XP project supports a number of its plans and strategies, including the Tourism and Events Plan 2018-23, the City Centre Strategy and Action Plan 2022-30 and its efforts to make Stirling a dementia friendly city.
