Google launches AR tour experience via Singapore tourism app

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has partnered with Google’s ARCore team to offer augmented reality (AR)-powered guided tours hosted on Merli − Singapore’s tourism mascot – which allows travelers to embark on immersive guided tours from their phones. A preview of the new immersive AR experiences around Merlion Park, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall through the Visit Singapore app occurred at the Google I/O 2023, which took place in California on May 10th.

The technology – which allows developers to blend virtual content with the natural world − uses various AI techniques to match images from the scanned environment against the model of the world made up of trillions of 3D points from Street View images. It is also reported that the experience entails faster internet speeds and the adoption of 5G.

Miguel de Andrés-Clavera, Group Product Manager, Google Partner Innovations, stated that Google’s AR and geospatial technologies had expanded the possibilities of complementing travel experiences with highly immersive and informative experiences when exploring a destination.

“We’re thrilled to work with the Singapore Tourism Board as the first geospatial trusted tester for travel and harness the power of AR technology to augment the physical world and heighten the element of helpful surprises for travelers and local explorers of Singapore.”

Miguel de Andres-Clavera, Group Product Manager, Google Partner Innovations

Goh Kershing, Senior Vice President of Future Tourism at STB, noted that the partnership with Google would set Singapore apart from other destinations. “One of the main tour highlights is at the Victoria Theater and Concert Hall,” Kershing said. He also mentioned that visitors will be able to listen to a string quartet performing on top of the national monument.

Merli leads tourists to Singapore’s iconic landmarks

According to a tweet by Google AR and VR, Merli leads visitors on an immersive tour of Singapore’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems

“From discovering new food to uncovering history, each stop features an AR experience that allows visitors to engage with Singapore in brand new ways,” the tweet also stated. Also, STB’s Chief Technology Officer, Wong Ming Fai, said in a LinkedIn post that the board team had to work within a short timeline, find solutions around technical challenges, accommodate changing requirements, and bridge teams across time zones to get the AR-guided tours up and running.

Photo Credit: Swapnil Bapat (Unsplash)