Project to develop Augmented Reality mobile app for visitors
MANCHESTER Metropolitan University is to be part of a £420,000 project to develop Manchester Jewish Museum. The project is to be funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund who are supporting the museum’s development plans. Dr Timothy Jung, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management, and his team are developing an app for mobile devices which visitors could use as part of their experience.
Dr Jung, who specialises in researching “augmented reality” said: “We are looking at many different ideas for the app, including ways we could ‘bring people back’ from the past. We are all very excited about being a part of this huge project.
“In previous projects, augmented reality has been used to tell personal stories from the past through overlaying of digital content onto the real environment. Using this approach can help Manchester Jewish Museum to bring its history to life while incorporating stories from the local community.”
Exciting project
Max Dunbar, Museum Chief Executive, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Manchester Metropolitan University on this exciting project, using the latest technology to bring to life the story of Manchester’s Jewish community and its oldest synagogue building.”
The University is the only academic institution working with the museum on the project, which also includes a museum extension housing new galleries, learning and event spaces. The museum’s historic synagogue building will also be fully restored.
Dr Jung said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Manchester Metropolitan University to get involved in research focussing on Manchester’s community.”
The research follows on from work carried out by Dr Jung last year into tourists’ use of augmented reality in Dublin, and the potential uses of Google Glass for museums, which was trialled at Manchester Art Gallery.
He will be working alongside Dr Mandy Claudia tom Dieck. Both researchers are members of the Creative Augmented Realities Hub at Manchester Metropolitan’s Hollings faculty.
