
A map with a large model of the landscape, showing the Jostedal Glacier National Park in Norway, appears on a screen. Two consoles in front of it wait for users to interact with this landscape. This is the scenario of use of “Tangible Geographical Interface”, an application aimed at enabling groups of visitors to explore the glacier park and its surroundings together. They can have information on geological wonders, the flora, fauna, the historical and archaeological sites or the “must-to-see” places, by choosing a tangible “information-pucks” and placing it on one of the console. When a “puck” is on a console, the map dynamically is altered and various location based information on a given subject, is projected in front of the users. By turning the “puck”, geographical changes are shown through time and/or users can browse through different information layers of a given subject. In this way the “story” is revealed in an interesting playful manner where visitors cooperate in disseminating the content. The experience is collective, since layers from different users can be active at the same time and visible, via opacity. Information in form of map data appears on the map surface and text and or photos/drawing and dynamic animations appear on the personal display area of the map. This application is accessible in the national park center of Breheimssenteret, Jostedalen, Norway.
Authors:
Nils Wiberg
Hringur Hafssteinsson
Samuel Jonasson