TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) launched Taiwan's first augmented reality museum tour service on Oct. 1, marking a technological milestone for the island's cultural institutions. The AR guide, celebrating the museum's centennial, allows visitors to explore the historical and cultural backgrounds of select artifacts using smartphones in Mandarin and English.
Museum Director Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌) announced Wednesday (Oct. 8) that the AR service covers the institution's most popular pieces, with expansion plans underway. The technology complements guide services in 15 languages, reinforcing the museum's commitment to inclusivity. Featured artifacts span three categories: mythical creatures, masterpieces of craftsmanship, and objects symbolizing good fortune.
Visitors activate the AR guide by scanning exhibits with smartphones, requiring no app download after purchasing the service. The technology creates virtual interaction screens, enabling artifact manipulation and multi-perspective viewing. Ceramics, jade, and bronze works from the permanent collection remain accessible through AR even when visitors step away from physical displays.
Acoustiguide and Arplanet (宇萌數位科技) developed the service using AI-enhanced exhibit recognition technology. The AR function animates classic works, including a Qing-dynasty revolving vase decorated with swimming fish in cobalt blue glaze (霽青描金游魚轉心瓶). Viewers can examine previously invisible elements like rotating mechanisms and bottom inscriptions.