BAFTA success for Tate wireless tour

Developed by Antenna Audio, the multimedia tour includes audio, video, still images and a variety of interactive features that enhance the visitor's experience and extend it beyond the actual visit. From July to September this year, visitors to Tate Modern could take the multimedia tour in the Still Life/Object/ Real Life galleries, using handheld iPAQ computers on a wireless network that was loaned to the project by HP. The content of the multimedia tour was delivered to the visitor using the most recent developments in wireless computing technology, powered by PanGo Networks' Proximity Platform technology.

In making the award, BAFTA officials described the Multimedia Tour as "Genuinely groundbreaking, this was an exciting demonstration of how new technology can be used to enhance museum and gallery visits. Using a hand-held wireless device that knows just where you are on the tour, this offers a stimulating array of material to add to, but not confuse, the experience of a gallery visit. Commendably, Tate Modern is working with day-to-day feedback from visitors to develop a system which complements an already stunning physical learning space." The multimedia tour was also nominated for a BAFTA in Interactive Entertainment in the category of Offline Learning.

Jane Burton, curator for interpretation at Tate Modern and the project leader, said "The award of a BAFTA recognises Tate Modern's innovative programme of interpretation and education, and reflect's the gallery's commitment to developing the next generation of multimedia learning tools. Tate is delighted with the success of this collaborative project.

Andrew Nugée, CEO of Antenna Audio agreed: "Tate's multimedia tour signals a compelling development path for interpretation and guidance in the cultural and visitor attraction industries, bringing appropriate location-determined content to the mobile visitor. This, coupled with the potential for interaction between museum and visitor, promises to revolutionise the gallery experience as comprehensively as did the first cassette-based tours."