Before designing the Digi-Guide, our main question was :
How to use new technologies to replace information provided by local residents ?
After having studied the problem from every angle, it appeared that the main characteristics of a "local person" was his ability to direct a visitor, help him choose his itinerary, provide commentaries on main sites, give advice on where to eat, where to go out, what exhibition to see, or even where to go shopping.
The choice was then to mix two different technologies : a Pocket PC, that could give information, and a GPS receiver, that allows you to be localized and directed.
Demo
The functions of the Pocket PC were simplified to allow you to navigate in an easy way through simple drop-down menus. It provides you information on routes and monuments and shows you photographs so you can prepare your "Digi-Guide day" the previous evening, or even in the morning before starting out.
When you are in "Navigation Mode", it localizes you on the map, gives you the right direction to follow, and provides the main comments of the track (monuments, restaurants,...).
The GPS receiver is discreet and efficient, it gives the Pocket PC real time satellite information using Bluetooth technology. Once turned "on", you put it in your pocket, or tie it to your belt so you can forget it.When you rent our system, the two devices are given to you, with a 16 hours autonomy (+ chargers if more than 1 day rental), a case for each, directions for use, and a metro map.
