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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