Development of Innovative Applications Through the Exploitation of Landmarks for the Promotion of Ancient Greek Technology Exhibits

This study presents the evaluation results of the “ATANA” research program, which focuses on a platform that integrates the creation and management of narratives associated with cultural tourism applications. Considering the objectives of this study and the target audience, the proposed method could be beneficial to museums and cultural institutions by providing interactive tours and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Additionally, it can be advantageous for cultural tourism stakeholders and local businesses in the surrounding areas as it may attract more tourists and increase footfall. The platform leverages augmented reality and narrative techniques within an ambient-intelligence environment that encompasses a museum and its surrounding landmarks. The case study pertains to the Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology (MAET), an institution with a continuous presence for 25 years, represented through a network of museums on the same theme located in Ancient Olympia and Athens, and an exhibition in which the organisation has participated in Malta. The methodology employed leverages the principles of ambient intelligence, enabling tourists to traverse the historic centre of Athens or the archaeological site of the Olympia, and to explore ancient Greek technological inventions through a mobile application supporting augmented reality. The proposed approach also supported the participation of MAET in an exhibition in Malta by projecting a variety of 3D inventions presented in MAET museums through augmented reality.