iBeacon - Making space for the future of Museums

R. Blake Miller

MA Candidate in Arts Politics (2015)

New York University - Tisch School of the Arts

Museums and Interactive Technology - Fall ‘14

What is “Beacon” technology?

iBeacons are proximity sensors

that transmit a universally unique identifier

to a compatible app or operating system

using low-frequency Bluetooth signals (BLE).

*Transforming advertising, mobile payments, building infrastructure and indoor

tracking technologies. (and everything else, really)

**Beacons contextualize an app’s use based on the host device’s proximity to

a beacon.

Source: padgadget.com

How does it work?Beacons are optimized to enable wireless communication between a smartphone and a low data rate, coin battery operated,

replaceable device located/installed in a closed vicinity….

UUID: This is a 16 byte string used to

differentiate a large group of related

beacons.

Major: (Example: Museum Name)

Minor: (Example: Gift Shop)

Tx Power: Determines proximity (distance)

from the beacon. TX power is defined as

the strength of the signal exactly 1 meter

from the device.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Beacons

Source: metmedialab.hackpad.com

How does it work better?

NFC Magnet-touch QR Code (functional)

- Beacons can gauge user distance by 3 degrees

of distance.

- Minimizing information access cost.

- Beacons encourage and incentivize app usage

- Product interaction

- In-store app usage

- App retention

Feasibility for Museums

Organization & Community - Connect

Navigation & Proximity - Building and Neighborhood

Education - Collection, Create

Access, Amenities, Events - Access, About

Source: rfproximity.com

Organization and Community

Folder - Tools for Direct Interaction

- Create a profile

- Audience research

Setup - Foster Richer Experiences

- Enable contextual learning and social engagement

Login - Influence, Participation, Membership

- Non-members and repeat visitors

- iBeacon messages prompt login

THE WHITNEY SEEKS TO BE THE DEFINING MUSEUM OF 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY AMERICAN ART THE MUSEUM

COLLECTS, EXHIBITS, PRESERVES, RESEARCHES AND INTERPRETS ART OF THE U S IN THE BROADEST GLOBAL,

HISTORICAL AND INTERDISCIPLINARY CONTEXTS AS THE PREEMINENT ADVOCATE FOR AMERICAN ART, WE FOSTER

THE WORK OF LIVING ARTISTS AT CRITICAL MOMENTS IN THEIR CAREERS THE WHITNEY EDUCATES A DIVERSE

PUBLIC THROUGH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH ARTISTS, OFTEN BEFORE THEIR WORK HAS ACHIEVED GENERAL

ACCEPTANCE

CONNECT

Navigation & ProximityBuilding - Technology Challenges, HCI Challenges

- Emergent technology

- Current limitations

- HCI (Human/Computer Interaction) Challenges

Neighborhood

- “Placelogging”

Community Programming

- Events, workshops, partnerships, membership

benefits

Source: exelanz.com

BUILDING & NEIGHBORHOOD

Education- iSolation - Consistency and Evolution - Technology is Ritualistic

- Social Engagement - Augmentation and Membership - Knowledge is Dynamic

- Users - Artist/Teacher/Student - Interchangeable Roles

- Personal, Social, Physical Contexts of Learning

Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger (1991)

“Situated Learning. Legitimate peripheral

participation”

COLLECTION

CREATE

Access & AmenitiesInformation

- Everyone has needs to be met by the museum.

- Visitors can personalize their account based on needs and interests

Assistance

- Art objects pose unique sets of challenges to visitors.

Services and Devices

- Technology assists in the process of providing for these needs, but can’t replace human interaction.

ACCESS

Challenges and Questions1. What limits can museums set for HCI without infringing on the public’s desire/need to interface?

2. How can museums test/experiment with this technology at its early stages without deterring users?

3. How can museums better contribute to arts education for youth, seniors, and marginalized communities using iBeacon?

Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense

technology [@ 6:24]

Minority Report (2002) - Future Advertising

...Approaching the

Internet of Things...

Anyone

Anything

Anytime

Anywhere