We give people new perspectives

We give people new perspectives

Augmented Reality Binoculars

augmented reality binoculars

Our augmented reality binoculars are the perfect hands-on solution for even the least tech-savvy visitor.

We’ve been creating augmented and virtual reality binoculars for several years. In fact, Curio is the only AR/VR studio in the UK to provide both the hardware and software for augmented reality binoculars.

We provide AR binoculars and custom software content for heritage organisations, tourist attractions, museums, public engagement and marketing events, corporate training programmes and more.

Recent clients for our augmented reality binoculars include the custom periscope binoculars we made for Tower Bridge to unlock the cityscape view to small children and wheelchair users, whose view is blocked by girder structures.

AR binoculars construction site
augmented reality binoculars birds

The best of analogue and digital combined

Ever wanted to share an alternate view of your site with your visitors? Perhaps a ruin in its heyday, or how a conservation project you’re working on will look when it’s complete?

Or maybe you want to create a piece of engaging digital interpretation that doesn’t disrupt the authenticity or historical immersion of your visitors’ experience?

Large touch screens or interactives can dominate a space and be off putting for those less confident using technology, but what’s less intimidating than a pair of binoculars?

Nobody can resist peering through a pair of binoculars to see the view beyond and, although this way of viewing is familiar and self-explanatory, the views you can create using augmented reality binoculars are anything other than ordinary.

With the advance of augmented and virtual reality technology our augmented reality binoculars allow Curio clients to capitalise on the existing visitor understanding and excitement for old-school binoculars, whilst also introducing the thrill and insight of digital visuals.

Augmented reality without downloading another app

Augmented reality is a fantastic way to let your audience see amazing visuals that would otherwise be impossible: whether it’s looking into the past, watching artworks or natural history collections come to life, or playing an educational video game in the air around you.

But downloading a new app is often a commitment that many people aren’t willing to make – often due to device space, battery drainage or data consumption.

Fortunately, our AR binoculars are a brilliant, accessible solution that allow our clients to make the most of everything our augmented reality services have to offer without asking anyone to download an app.

Rather than removing visitors from an immersive experience, our augmented reality binoculars let visitors get hands-on with a digital experience that still feels tangible.

Augmented reality binoculars

Bespoke content and creative support

Every project has different needs and we are happy to recommend the best content for a particular location, or to advise on the best hardware model to suit your visitors.

For example, we built classic New York style AR binoculars which featured a ‘time travel’ lever on the side, allowing people to see what Cardiff Bay looked like in the past as well as the future.

The software featured a calibrated 3D landscape which changed depending on the time period, to show features such as steam ships, Victorian houses and high rise apartment blocks.

We work with you to determine the right experience for your site, and offer hardware and software cover as well as general support through an optional SLA post-project.

Standardised AR binocular units or fully-bespoke hardware

Curio’s design team offers a sliding scale of different options for our augmented reality binoculars to cater to your specific needs: from the low-cost, standard unit design and basic content, to fully bespoke units with interactive content and high production visuals. Available in a range of custom colours and finishes, our AR binoculars are suitable for indoor or outdoor installations. All units are robust, weatherproof-finish metal as standard.

For AR binoculars that we install in external locations, we build all-metal units to the same specification as those installed at seaside resorts, piers and tourist attractions around the world.

Hardware customisation options could include colours, finishes, different height levels, magnification, rotation locks, the addition of levers, controls, sound, voice activation and much more. We can also fit a solar panel to the top of the AR binoculars, which will provide enough power for each unit to be fully self-sufficient.

Some of our augmented reality binocular models are also designed specifically for children or wheelchair users.

We can supply any quantity of units internationally, and also provide support and maintenance packages. Get in touch to find out more, whether you have the inkling of an idea or a fully fledged plan.

We believe our AR binoculars are an incredible solution for heritage and tourism sites. Why not pop into our studio and have a look yourself?

People loved interacting with this installation, which mixes the nostalgia of seaside attractions with the magic of seeing a landscape change before your eyes. The fact that you don’t need anything to take part was key, allowing anyone, smartphone user or not, to walk up and see the past and future of the area spring to life around them.

Calvium – Cardiff Bay, Porth Tigr

People loved interacting with this installation, which mixes the nostalgia of seaside attractions with the magic of seeing a landscape change before your eyes. The fact that you don’t need anything to take part was key, allowing anyone, smartphone user or not, to walk up and see the past and future of the area spring to life around them.

Calvium – Cardiff Bay, Porth Tigr