‘Magic window’ for tourist sites on trial

A revolutionary device giving tourists a “magic window” on to historical events is being piloted at an archeological site in Flanders. Exhibition designer John Sunderland, claims his TimeFrame design is the first “augmented reality system”.

A free-standing unit depicts an on-screen real-time view of a site, over which an interactive interpretation of how it used to look is superimposed. By activating the screen the onlooker can choose in which period the scene is viewed. “We have deconstructed the visitor centre,” Sunderland says.

The prototype is being tested in Belgium and is being funded by the provincial government of East Flanders (DW 18 April).

Sunderland and TimeFrame Solutions co-founder Regina Binder, are now working on linking in live action simulations such as battle scenes.