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SINGAPORE: How can the Singapore Science Centre get even more high tech?
It is launching an indoor electronic tour guide system which costs $200,000.
Using Personal Digital Assistants, visitors can now navigate around the centre, get multimedia narration of exhibits and even surf the internet.
With only 10 tour guides for the 1 million visitors annually, the Science Centre is looking for ways to create a more engaging and visitor-centred experience.
So now for just $2, visitors can rent a Personal Digital Assistant or PDA, and venture off on their own voyage of discovery.
Some 10 percent of the nearly 1,000 exhibits have additional multimedia content available on these PDAs.
Visitors can use these lightweight devices to send email about the exhibits, surf the internet, message other users and get alerted for shows in the centre.
"We'll be able to gauge their reaction and feedback which they can key into their PDA, as well as be able to monitor their behaviour based on the amount of time they've spent and the kind of information they are interested in," said Dr Chew Tuan Chong, Chief Executive of the Science Centre.
The system has a tracking device that tells visitors exactly where they are in the Centre, a technology that might have other applications in the near future.
"The potential is limitless, we can give the kids little transponders and the parents will be able to track the whereabouts of their kid at any point in time," said Dr Chew.
Only 24 PDAs are available currently, but the centre plans to increase them based on demand.
It is also looking to provide more content like games, quizzes and guided trails. - CNA /dt
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