Stirling has become a fully augmented reality (AR) city in an “exciting world-first”, organisers have announced.
Cutting edge software has transformed the visitor experience in Stirling, allowing people to explore the city through their smartphone screen.
The AR experience sees designers enhance parts of the user’s physical world with computer-generated input.
They create inputs ranging from sound to video in digital content which responds in real time to changes in the user’s environment, typically movement.
Stirling’s rich history and heritage are brought to life through interactive games which unlock rewards and incentives.
To access the new AR environment, users need to download the free Stirling XP app and then hold up their phones as they navigate the city.
At the app’s launch in the city centre on Thursday, council leader Christopher Kane said Stirling is at the heart of Scottish history.
“Our tourism history really stems from the Battle of Stirling Bridge and Stirling is surrounded by a wealth of historical infrastructure,” he said.
“We’re a fantastic location to come to if you want to learn about Scottish history.”
Mr Kane, who has lived in Stirling all his life and was elected leader of the council earlier this year, said the app will allow the historic story of Stirling to be told in a way that resonates with visitors today.
“For years, I’ve been trying to get my kids off smartphones,” he joked, “But this shows: if you can’t beat them, join them.
“I see my kids playing Pokemon Go, wondering around and picking things up in the game – we’re doing the same thing.”
The AR city was created with Stirling Council in collaboration with BT and Seymour Powell, a tech innovation company with a base at Codebase Stirling which helped develop the cutting-edge software.
Stirling Council has invested £200,000 in the project, with funding from the Scottish Government Place Based Investment Programme.
Mr Kane added: “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.”
Chris Doughty, head of immersive experiences at Seymour Powell, said: “The Stirling XP project demonstrates what is possible when cutting-edge infrastructure providers, optimistic and forward-looking public bodies and award-winning designers work together.
“Using Google’s new Geospatial platform, we were able to design a truly immersive experience that brings the city to life by revealing an exciting digital layer, gamifying local history and providing tourists with local challenges that encourage them to go out and explore the city.
“We are delighted to have been able to deliver a project which firmly positions Stirling as a world-class digital destination and paves the way for continued, industry-leading, development.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here