STB partners Google to bring location-based AR experiences to Maps

Google and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) are expanding their partnership by developing location-based AR experiences that will be directly available on Google Maps for the first time. 

As part of this pilot, STB will continue to use Google’s ARCore and Geospatial Creator to develop new location-based AR experiences.

Unlike before when STB’s AR experiences were made available only on its travel app, these new AR experiences can soon be discovered and enjoyed entirely within the Google Maps mobile app, one of two cities in which these experiences will be available, it said in a statement. 

Don't miss: Embark on an AR tour of Singapore's hidden spots with Google and STB

STB has also onboarded over a dozen other tourism stakeholders in Singapore to join the pilot, who themselves will also develop location-based AR experiences.

These stakeholders include retail malls along Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt, local heritage businesses in Chinatown and popular museums and attractions.

Together, there will be 30 places of interest with AR experiences, creating an immersive journey across key tourism precincts in Singapore. These include a unique blend of multicultural neighbourhoods, iconic architecture and delicious cuisine such as Chinatown, the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Sensoryscape, and many more.

Whether one wants to watch the ceremonial dragon dance at Chinatown or view the local dishes they can try at the Maxwell Food Centre, there is a wide range of AR experiences they can access to embark on an immersive journey across Singapore, it said.

With this expansion, the AR content will now be visible remotely via Street View on the Google Maps mobile app for a seamless and accessible experience regardless of location.

Users near the landmarks can also discover the AR content on their mobile devices by scanning their surroundings using Lens in Maps, as it overlays the physical surroundings in the real world. This will be helpful for visitors planning their trips to Singapore, and navigating the island through AR tours when they are in the country, said STB. 

Users can look forward to tapping into the full experience on Google Maps later this summer. STB also plans to further grow the number of location-based AR experiences in Google Maps beyond 30, building on its goal of making Singapore the world’s first “AR City” in Google Maps.

“In collaboration with local partners like STB, we're thrilled to unlock a new way for people to interact, engage and discover Singapore's vibrant culture and history on Google Maps,” said Eric Lai, group product manager of Google AR + XR.

“Through location-based AR experiences, we're making it more intuitive for over a billion users to discover this iconic city in a way like never before. This is just the beginning of a journey that will reshape how we explore the world,” he added.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with Google to bring a more immersive and innovative experiences to travellers through AR on Google Maps. This partnership underscores STB’s dedication to testing the use of frontier technologies which can revolutionise the visitor’s experience of tomorrow,” said Simon Ang, director of The Collaboratory, Singapore Tourism Board. 

He added that the pilot greatly benefits local businesses, who can leverage AR to tell different stories over the same spaces and have their content discoverable and accessible on Google Maps. It also benefits travellers as it aids their discovery of new places of interest and enriches them with a deeper understanding of Singapore’s rich history and culture through interactive storytelling.

“Singapore Tourism Board is committed to embracing technology to enhance the visitor experience and differentiate Singapore from other destinations," Ang said.

This partnership builds upon the success of Merli’s Immersive Adventure – an innovative AR tour to six enchanting stops around Singapore through STB’s Visit Singapore Travel Guide app launched in January this year. Powered by Google’s ARCore and Geospatial Creator, the tour follows Singapore’s tourism mascot, Merli, as he guides visitors to iconic spots such as the Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Fullerton Hotel and Maxwell Food Centre.

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