We want to share as many stories as possible. And despite sharing a huge 486 million stories in 18 countries to date, we’re only at the beginning. Used smartly, artificial intelligence (AI) can help us to tell many more stories in the very near future. Read on to find out how much easier it will become for museums to share their stories with visitors. With our new AI-driven platform, museums will soon be able to produce audio tours quickly, cheaply, and in any language they want.

Guide-ID exists to unlock stories. Whether they’re about culture, art, or nature, we give objects and spaces a voice, helping people to listen and expand knowledge. That’s why we’ve created the world’s easiest audio guide, so that people can discover the bigger picture beyond the visual world through audio tours – without limiting technologies or unnecessary distractions.

All these stories have been shared through our current platform, which also functions as a huge data store. We’ve looked at this data, and then gone back and looked again and again and again. On the basis of this analysis, we developed a new platform. An initial – admittedly very modest – version of this is now online. However, it has enormous potential We really think we can provide the whole market with an awesome opportunity to tell stories that both inform and amaze visitors.

Podcatcher audio guide

First, back to basics: our aim is to help every museum, wherever in the world, to share their stories without any unnecessary distractions. To achieve this, our in-house team develops technology that’s easy to use and actually works. No fancy gadgets, just happy museum visitors. We’re very happy with the feedback we get from visitors about the Podcatcher. Almost everyone who uses the Podcatcher is impressed by its simplicity. Visitors can focus entirely on the exhibition, and the Podcatcher provides automatic support by telling a fantastic story. Free of distractions, visitors can use their eyes for what they’re meant to do: enjoying the beautiful exhibits and the building. So far, so good.

What museums did have lots of questions about was how the stories would be produced. Who writes the texts? Who takes care of translating? Who does the filming? Who provides the voiceover? How long will it all take? And most important of all: what will it all cost? After all, content is precious and fleeting, and urgent edits are nothing out of the ordinary. Museums often tell us: ‘We’ll start with just one language and take it from there.’ We thought this was a missed opportunity, so we started looking at how we could do things differently. And we found a solution: artificial intelligence (‘AI’ for short).

AI for audio tours

Several of our customers now ask us for audio guides with computer-generated audio. I can hear you thinking: a computer… really? But I don’t mean one of those ridiculous robotic voices. In fact, visitors don’t realize it’s not a human voice. Comparing usage behaviour, we found almost no difference in listening behaviour between visitors who listened to human voices or computer-generated voices. And the same picture emerges from the questions we asked visitors at trials hosted by our customers. Of course, there’s always room for improvement. But for now, AI has the upper hand. This means that museums can quickly produce audio tours by simply uploading the texts onto our platform. A few minutes later, the audio is available to all visitors. There’s no more waiting, almost no costs, and – more importantly – no massive project to manage with endless studios and voices.

Of course, I’m talking about simple content for those with a low (i.e. zero J) budget; content that’s ready to go and won’t leave visitors disappointed. But if you want to go all out with various storylines, music, dialogues, and more, you can call on the content creators in our network. They make the most wonderful productions.

Translation

The next step is to use AI to translate. We want to share as many stories as possible. The quickest way to do so is to add lots of languages, so that visitors can listen on their own. This step is a bit more complicated, but we’re on the right track. I hope we’ll be able to offer translations to all our customers before the end of the year. Just imagine: simply type and upload a text, and the content is then instantly available for all visitors as an audio in five languages, accessible on a smartphone or Podcatcher audio guide. It couldn’t be easier.

Affordable audio tour solution

These days, museum budgets don’t stretch very far. We think we can offer an affordable solution with this tool. After all, if you’re a museum, you want everyone to be able to visit you. Inclusiveness starts with something as simple as a multilingual audio guide.

After budget-balancing comes the next big challenge: content creation. And this is yet another barrier we want to remove with our upgraded platform. Go and discover for yourself. See how visitors react. This fantastic technology is a tiny investment, but it enables you to go on a whole adventure with Guide-ID.

If you’re a museum employee or content creator, I understand that this may be a controversial topic. That’s why I invite everyone to give it a try and experience it for themselves. In any case, I’m always open for a chat. If you want to try it for yourself or have ideas on how to make the product even better, please get in touch with me.

My social media regularly features posts from companies that make apps for museums. Apps that promise heaven and earth, with the-sky-is-the-limit vibes. And to experience all this goodness, all you need is a smartphone. It’s a smartphone utopia for museums and visitors alike. However, now that I’m armed with a good two decades of experience in the museum sector, I feel it’s time to dissect those utopian promises.

A multimedia guide in your pocket

I should start by saying I get what the developers of those apps are trying to achieve. Virtually everyone nowadays has a smartphone, so why not add ‘multimedia guide’ to its many functions? It would mean companies no longer have to invest millions in developing their own ‘players’, nor would they have to worry about the logistics of supplying and maintaining them. What is there not to like? And since everyone is glued to their smartphone all day anyway, it’s only natural that they would do the same in a museum setting. Right?

Detracting from the experience

However, that’s where the first mistake is made. Think about the last time you visited a museum. Why did you choose to visit? Probably because you wanted to see an exhibition and specific objects or works of art. You’d seen it all online, but now you wanted to experience it in real life – up close, letting your eyes wander over the painting, taking it all in. Bam! That’s the power of real, authentic art. Give me one good reason why you’d interrupt this magical event by picking up your phone to find out more about the art. You know how it goes: you’re on your phone, so you might as well check Facebook or answer that LinkedIn message.

The magic is lost

It’s become a familiar sight. People open their smartphone, their eyes fixate on the screen, and they drift off. They’re in a virtual world; the museum’s magic is lost. I think it shouldn’t be this way. Many of the museum apps contain an overwhelming amount of information. While this is fantastic if you’re at home or on the go, it’s a huge distraction when you’re physically at the museum. Standing in front of a piece of art, the most you want is a concise story about the work itself, and that story should be audio, so your eyes can stay focused on the work of art. You don’t need endless background information, information about other exhibitions, or complicated menu structures that you have to untangle before finding the information you want. You want to use your eyes to look at the art – not at your smartphone screen.

Waving your smartphone in the air

And then there’s the way content is activated. More and more companies are using automated image recognition: point your smartphone at a painting, and all the information pops up on your screen. It couldn’t be easier. But how do you know which painting has more information? Or will the museum provide information for every single object or work on display? If they don’t, and you point your smartphone at a piece of art but nothing happens, you’re likely to stop using the app. Besides that, I can’t help but see parallels between scanning paintings and what people often do at concerts nowadays: all waving their smartphone in the air in an attempt to film the performance. It’s not my idea of the perfect concert or museum visit.

Audio-only

I can hear you saying: ‘I get it, Frits. But the apps do offer something very practical – a map on your smartphone, so you don’t get lost.’ You’d be right, and I’d have to agree. If you’re afraid of getting lost and having to spend the night in the shadowy halls of the museum, I recommend downloading a map as soon as you walk through the doors. I’ll be clear about using smartphone screens for films and photos: when I first got into multimedia guides back in 2004, I also thought it was a fantastic idea. However, curators and museum staff kept reminding me that visitors have the most intense experience when they’re looking at the art rather than at a screen. That’s why we’ve been doing audio-only audio guides since 2009. Our success speaks for itself…

Our flagship: The Podcatcher audio guide

Despite this, we also offer an app for smartphones and a mobile website. There are two reasons for this. The first: is self-protection. Some companies make it seem as if apps are the panacea to every single problem a museum might face. Sometimes, not having an app is enough for a prospective customer to reject you outright, leaving you no opportunity to paint a realistic picture. The second: comparing the use of our own app and mobile website with the Podcatcher (our flagship), we can provide data that shows the Podcatcher offers a better experience than a smartphone. That knowledge is a real eye-opener for museums.

Not for everyone

Finally, I’d like to comment on the scope of smartphone use in museums. Not all visitors have a smartphone – school groups are one example. And the visitors who do have one don’t always have the latest updates and technology. For example, our new Podcatcher audio guide uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB), so we can visualize accurate walking routes and provide the right information at the right times. However, this is only available from iPhone 13 (if Apple releases it for third parties). It can sometimes take years for the latest technology to catch on with the majority of museum visitors, not least because the average age of museum visitors is 50 plus. And then there’s the argument about your smartphone battery: who wants to be left with an empty phone after two hours at a museum?

Case closed

So, we’ve come full circle. It’s all about using technology to provide visitors with a magical moment in front of authentic objects and art without being distracted. For our customers, we compare the experience of visitors who use their smartphone with the experience of visitors who use the Podcatcher. Time and time again, we see that the best experience is the non-distancing experience. That’s exactly what we offer with the Podcatcher. Case closed…

What a treat to briefly leave our planet behind and lose yourself in the ‘Space: The Human Quest’ exhibition in Antwerp, where you come face to face with real exhibits and replicas from 50 years of space travel. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the past, present and future of space exploration. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – those were the now iconic words uttered by Neil Armstrong when he first set foot on the moon, back in 1969. The exhibition in Antwerp proves once again that space fascinates, surprises and amazes us.

Exploring is for all

There is a great deal of enthusiasm for the show – the lady at the front desk energetically explained that even in sunny summer weather, people can be seen queuing out of the door. Many school groups visit in the mornings and afternoons, and the general public takes over at the weekend. Not to mention all the events that take place in the evenings! It’s a lively exhibition, captivating visitors of all ages. There is even a “docking game”, allowing visitors to try docking a Soyuz, Crew Dragon or Starliner craft to the ISS. A model shows us what life could be like in a futuristic village on Mars. All of our senses are stimulated: you can find out what the moon smells like, or feel the texture of Mars rock or a meteorite. In the audio guide, space expert Lieven Scheire takes you on a journey through the exhibition, with many a space travel anecdote along the way. Two tailor-made “quests” have been created for primary (6-12) and secondary (12-18) school students: an audio tour in quiz form, using the Podcatcher’s buttons to select the correct answer.

More about the exhibition

The exhibition’s coordinator, Sanne Augusteyns, told me who took the initiative for the exhibition, and why. Entrepreneur Jürgen Ingels is the driving force behind the project, inspired by the love he has had for space since he was a boy. His father was equally fascinated by space travel, as demonstrated by the huge replica rocket taking pride of place on his desk. That passion for space was handed down to Ingels, who began collecting historical documents and materials relating to space travel after his father’s death. His dream was to one day set up an exhibition around space travel – an ambition which has now been fulfilled. Ingels also wants to encourage a love of technology, innovation, and science in young people.

You can spend hours at this exhibition: the many stories and anecdotes inspire both seasoned connoisseurs and complete novices. Humanity’s desire to explore and conquer space will always be with us.

I was most fascinated by the heroic story of Albert II, the rhesus macaque who was the first mammal in space in 1949, and by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s report of his experience as the first man in space. And, of course, Belgian space heroes are celebrated too. Dirk Frimout was the first Belgian ever to go to space, and his original flight suit is on display here. His full flight lasted exactly 8 days, 22 hours, 9 minutes and 28 seconds. We all remember the iconic footage of the then Prince Filip calling Frimout in space. “Dirk, you may call me Filip, because there is no protocol in space.” Historic words.

The final film leaves us with a warm message for humanity: “We’re all connected. We’re challenging the boundaries; let’s keep searching, let’s keep looking and let’s keep wondering. Look beyond the horizon. Where we find places and space. What man can imagine, man can do. Make it count!” The universe inspires us to discover so much more, allows us to breathe and to dream…

‘Space: The Human Quest’ can be visited at Antwerp Expo until 30 June 2022.

‘The most important lesson of the past two years has been sustainability.’ Our CEO Frits Polman is speaking. He has been at the helm of Guide-ID for more than 19 years, and, together with a team of 20 employees, he is plotting a well-thought-out course in the world of audio experiences. The past two years with the coronavirus were tough at times – museum doors remained closed, audio guides were left unused. Thanks to flexibility, creativity, and a sharp focus on the mission, Guide-ID weathered the storm well. ‘We turned out to be more adaptable than we thought. The sudden acceleration of the digital world made its enormous potential clear. The need for continuous innovation kept us going.’ We fired some questions at our CEO.

How does Guide-ID deal with sustainability?

‘In my view, sustainable business operations represent the only way forward. Launching audio guides that last a lifetime: that was my goal when I founded Guide-ID. In today’s world, you don’t hear that very often. For example, you usually have to replace an iPhone after only three years. This is the main reason for me to rent out and not sell our audio guides. As soon as a component breaks, we repair it. Our clients immediately receive replacement audio guides. Our device is robust and shockproof. We are talking about some serious impact or damage before it breaks. Our supplier recycles all used Podcatchers audio guides and processes them into new products.’

Where does this urge for innovation come from?

‘As an engineer, innovation is in my DNA. Every day, a team of experts within Guide-ID works to make the product better. Simple to use and ingenious in terms of technology – that is our motto. The results of our technicians’ research and development are not always immediately visible, but they do pay off in the long run. As an example, we are currently putting a lot of effort into developing a new Podcatcher. In addition to increasing its user-friendliness, we also want to make the device more sustainable. We will provide more news on this in a few months.’

Where do you see the biggest changes within the company: before and after the coronavirus crisis?

’‘Firstly, the coronavirus crisis had a lasting impact on the ecological footprint of our company. While we used to travel by car and by plane often, we do that a lot less now. Where possible, we now hold meetings digitally although we still like to pay our clients a live visit as well.

The coronavirus crisis also inspired us to catch up in the area of digital communication. An example of this is that we have been strongly committed to LinkedIn and regularly write articles for this platform since the coronavirus crisis began. In the area of digitalization, there are certainly future growth opportunities as well.’

How was the contact with the customers during the coronavirus crisis?

‘As a company, we have shown full understanding of the situation our clients were in. After all, we were all in the same boat. We communicated transparently, gave clients a ‘coronavirus discount’, and organized digital initiatives such as webinars to inspire them to keep making the most of audio stories. Together with our clients, we have also spent a year building up expertise on inclusion. After all, we want to embed our clients’ stories permanently in society by ensuring that everyone can use our Podcatcher audio guide. I am particularly grateful for our clients’ flexible and agile attitudes. I wish them much courage, the effects of the coronavirus are still being felt today.’

What role do your employees play?

‘Investing in a sustainable world starts with the employees. Working from home, for example, is an important part of our corporate culture. Employees are given the freedom and trust to organize their work to the best of their abilities and to maintain a good work-life balance. I admire the way the employees have adapted to the ever-changing world. We all persevere, with ups and downs. As far as I am concerned, that represents an unprecedented feat of willpower and self-discipline!’

My work with Guide-ID introducing audio guides to museums in North America and around the globe presents a remarkable opportunity to see first-hand how we are emerging from the pandemic. Since the start of 2022, we’ve participated in trade shows like the Virginia Association of Museums Conference (VAM) in Richmond, VA, the Ohio Museums Association Conference (OMA) in Cincinnati, OH and the American Alliance of Museums Conference (AAM) in Boston, MA. It is so wonderful to be finally getting back to seeing our work colleagues, our clients, and our prospects in person once again.

Challenges

The pandemic has certainly presented enormous challenges for the museum sector, but you can sense that the tide is turning and that new opportunities are springing forth. As I’ve traveled to these conferences, I’ve visited many museums and historic sites along the way of course. It appears that through March 2022, attendance at many sites I visited continued to be light. However, starting in April 2022, you could sense a real change in what’s been happening. Masks have been coming off in droves and life really is returning to normal in many respects. Airline travel is setting records and I also began traveling internationally for both work and pleasure. Aside from the trade shows locales, I’ve managed to visit museums and historic sites in New York City, Washington, DC, Toronto, ON and London, England.

All in all, what I’m seeing is that tourists are back in a big way which obviously spells good news for the museum sector. Many museums that I’ve visited are swarming with visitors. That includes my time at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The British Museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Windsor Castle among others. I’ve also witnessed many of their visitors experiencing audio tours and clearly enjoying the storytelling that emanates from these amazing venues.

The aftermath

Now that summer has arrived, I hope that all of you can spring forth from the shackles of Covid and enjoy the world of arts and culture in your neighborhood or around the world. It certainly appears that many of your friends and neighbors are doing just that, so let’s all get back to doing the things we love and cherish. Hope to see many of you on the road and long live museums, and historic sites, remembering our past, celebrating our future, and enjoying The Art of Listening!

It’s September, which means summer is coming to an end. But I’ve got to say… What a great summer it turned out to be! I published my last article in June, at the very start of summer. After a summer break from writing, I’m back with a new article. This time, I’d like to take you on a time-travelling journey through the past three months and explain why I thought they were so great.

Trip to Wales

Several things got me excited this summer. The first is the huge number of new customers who have joined our new online platform. But I’m equally proud of us winning the public tender launched by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service). As this now makes us the exclusive audio guide supplier for all Cadw sites, we’ll be providing many castles and manor houses in Wales with a great audio tour in the near future. This news is extra special for me on a personal level: in 2008, I travelled to Conwy in Wales to add the historic townhouse Plas Mawr – a Cadw site – to our platform, as the second customer ever. Being awarded the status of Cadw’s exclusive audio guide supplier 14 years later is something I’m very proud of!

A new era for audio tours

The second reason why I have such fond memories of this summer has everything to do with Podcatcher. The first prototypes of the new Podcatcher have been produced – and they’re so cool! The idea of developing a new, revolutionary player first came about two years ago. Just over ten years after the launch of the first Podcatcher, we thought it would be fantastic to develop something innovative again. And so we did. Holding the prototype in my hands, it feels really good. What an awesome bit of work by our hardware heroes Richard and Taco, under the inspiring guidance of Thomas. I’m sure the Podcatcher Pro will herald a new era for audio tours, just like the first Podcatcher did over a decade ago. ‘Tell me more’, I hear you say!

Tour the museum

Let me give you a sneak peek. Imagine a device that tells museum visitors stories in their language, at their level. A device that takes visitors through the museum, guided by the story. Depending on where the visitor is in the museum, they will hear atmospheric music, listen to stories that start automatically as soon as they reach art objects, or be able to seamlessly activate a story themselves.The space essentially moulds itself to the visitor, with large screens displaying a film clip as soon as the visitor approaches. Visitors can use the device as a controller to play a game and share their answers to certain topics. All these answers are collected continuously and displayed on the spot, in the museum itself, as large projections. To top it all off, the device can also be used to guide groups and provide school classes with an unforgettable, interactive treasure hunt. It all seems almost too good to be true… But nothing could be further from the truth, as the new Podcatcher will soon be a reality.

New features available by the package

And now the third and final reason for my good mood: we’ve managed to fit all the new features into a few very simple packages. These features include the new software platform, plus the Podcatcher Pro. The packages make it very easy – especially for new customers – to make that first step and become more confident with using the features. This is our way of breaking down barriers where we can and making people’s first encounter with audio tours as enjoyable as possible. To top it off, the first package is also free. But more on that later.

Dipping my feet in the water, laptop open

All in all, I can say I’m a happy man. Not only because of everything mentioned above and everything that’s happening in the coming months, but also because of the wonderful weather! I decided to spend the summer in the Netherlands, and I didn’t regret that choice for one moment. There was no need to holiday in Spain to enjoy a bit of warmth. Dipping my feet in the water, chilled drink in hand, laptop open: I’ve had worse days at the office. These are the ideal conditions to get creative about our strategy and the future. Now that summer’s coming to an end, we’re moving forward at a rapid pace. The first prototypes are ready and are now being tested in-house. We’d like to have the first production run tested by customers and partners (Exhibition Designers). If you’d like to join in our innovation and can think of applications for our new platform, please send me a private message. We’re always open to new, awesome input.

Are you curious about what we can still learn from the Bible today? Then visit Biblia Brugge, the newly-opened Bible experience centre in the Major Seminary. You pass through long cloisters on your way before receiving a warm welcome at Biblia: ‘Take a seat and get ready for a spectacular journey.’ Once you’re comfortably seated, illustrator Klaas Verplancke’s animated film begins to play. You see various questions. Do you dare to be yourself? Do you dare to discover the unknown world? Do you dare to listen in silence? These challenging questions keep you on your toes for the rest of the visit.

Enhancing the experience with audio tour guides

The audio guide takes you on a journey through the world of the Bible, walking in the footsteps of Abraham, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. Who are they? What inspired them? All of them dared to venture into the unknown. These Biblical stories continue to inspire us to this day.

The centre’s design is modern and inviting. You can touch and feel the objects. Biblia Brugge was developed by Bailleul design agency. Visitors are invited to actively take part. Via the digital screens, you can request information about your favourite evangelist or the most important quotes, and you can take part in a quiz to test your knowledge of the Bible. It is a multisensory experience, inviting you to blow on the ram’s horn, sniff the herbs… The whole experience sometimes feels as if you are in the world of the Bible.

The centre is divided into three rooms. You can walk between them via a long cloister. You can take a seat in the cloister while a mirror is held before you. Look into it and rediscover the animated film’s challenging questions. Stay on your toes!

The last room evokes a library of the history of the Bible. Here, you learn that the word ‘Bible’ comes from the Koine Greek word ‘biblia’, meaning ‘scrolls’. You are also invited to read Bible excerpts. A quote from the Dutch philosopher Charles Vergeer (born 1947) may help here: “Biblical texts are like smouldering ashes. You have to blow on them to reignite them, to set the words ablaze.”

My passage through the exhibition will not be lost; I was able to write my name in the stars. A world of a kind you don’t see every day was opened up to me in an accessible visitor centre.

Biblia is open every afternoon from 2 to 6 pm except Sundays and Mondays.

Buckle up for an exhilarating UK expedition! With Guide-ID’s top-notch audio guide solutions, I explored Cheddar Gorge’s beauty, delved into Beezeum’s captivating wonders, and soaked in the history of Portchester Castle, HMS Victory, and Hailes Abbey. The enchantment of Castell Coch left me breathless. Join me on this thrilling adventure!

Nature’s Playful Dance: Exploring Cheddar Gorge and Caves

My adventure began amidst nature’s playful dance at Cheddar Gorge and Caves. Armed with Guide-ID’s audio guides, I felt like a time-traveling adventurer in a quirky theme park. The stalactites tried to drop jokes on my head, and the stalagmites seemed to do a boogie just for laughs. The audio guides brought the rocks to life, narrating tales of hilarious geologic mischief that made me chuckle along the way.

The Newt of Somerset: A Hoot with Time’s Royalty

At The Newt of Somerset’s Beezeum, past and present mingled like royalty at a grand ball. Armed with Guide-ID’s audio guides, I became a history detective, uncovering epic pranks and tales of lords and ladies. Time travel and high society mixed, creating a delightful and surreal experience. Peanut butter and pickles had nothing on this extraordinary blend of history and modernity.

Medieval Madness at Portchester Castle

Onward I went, into the medieval madness at Portchester Castle. With Guide-ID’s audio guides as my witty wingmen, I couldn’t help but fancy myself as a history rockstar! Armed with a mental suit of Armor and a pretend sword, I strutted around the castle like a medieval hero on a mission. The audio guides took on the personas of quirky characters, making me feel like I was in a Monty Python sketch – medieval style!

Sailing Shenanigans Aboard HMS Victory

Ahoy there! Boarding HMS Victory, I set sail on the high seas of history. With Guide-ID’s audio guides as my first mates, the ship seemed to take on a life of its own. The cannons roared, the sails swayed, and I found myself doing my best pirate impressions – “Arrr matey!” The audio guides joined in on the pirate lingo, and we had a jolly good time pretending to be swashbuckling buccaneers on the hunt for treasure.

Hailes Abbey: Ghostly Goofs and Giggles

Amidst the haunting ruins of Hailes Abbey, I was greeted by ghostly whispers and giggles from the past. With Guide-ID’s audio guides as my playful phantoms, I felt like I was in a real-life Scooby-Doo mystery. We laughed and pretended to be ghostbusters, unravelling the spooky tales and turning the ruins into our own ghostly playground.

A Fairytale Fiesta at Castell Coch

My final stop led me to a fairytale fiesta at Castell Coch. With its whimsical towers and dreamy atmosphere, it was a fairy tale come to life. With Guide-ID’s audio guides as my fairytale companions, we danced like Disney characters through the castle’s corridors. Dragons were not allowed to gatecrash, but we pretended we were knights on a mission to save the day!

A Laugh-Filled Adventure Through Time

As I concluded my laugh-filled adventure, I couldn’t help but appreciate how Guide-ID’s audio guides had turned history into a wild and hilarious ride. With a heart full of joy and a camera full of selfies, I looked forward to sharing the chuckles with others. Oh, the fun we’ll have as our time-traveling shenanigans continue, and Guide-ID’s audio guides lead us on more rib-tickling escapades through history’s wildest hijinks!

Discover how Thomas Fikken, Guide-ID’s Business Development Manager, is reshaping the visitor experience with the Podcatcher Pro – where innovative audio technology meets the art of storytelling.

Behind the Podcatcher Pro Audio Guide

You may already be familiar with Guide-ID’s Podcatcher Pro, but behind this innovative museum technology is a driving force – our Product Owner, Thomas Fikken. Thomas plays a pivotal role in ensuring that every detail of the Podcatcher Pro meets the needs of our clients, but his journey to Guide-ID is just as intriguing as the product itself.

Before diving into technology, Thomas’s career began in a different field. With a background in Business Administration, he developed a passion for improving existing companies, focusing on change management, efficiency, and effectiveness. It was this curiosity and desire for meaningful impact that led him to transition from a business analyst role to product management at Wehkamp, where he honed his skills in blending software with logistics. Yet, it was the search for a deeper purpose – something that could influence the world in a more direct way – that eventually led him to Guide-ID.

“At Guide-ID, we help create stories and experiences, and I play a key role in enhancing our product offerings. This is where I truly feel at home – understanding technology and how it can be applied in practical ways,” Thomas explains. “My role merges both the hardware, like the Podcatcher Pro, and the software that drives it, creating something truly special for our clients.”

As Business Development Manager, Thomas’s daily work is a dynamic mix of innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving. One day might involve designing a completely new museum layout, while another could be focused on creating specialised solutions such as audio-guided tours for visually impaired visitors. “Working with developers to continuously improve our product is just part of it,” he says. “I also keep close contact with Customer Support and Sales to stay connected with client needs and make sure we’re always meeting and exceeding expectations.”

What makes Thomas an expert voice on the Podcatcher Pro? He’s been involved in the development of this cutting-edge audio guide from the ground up. From the very beginning, he worked alongside Guide-ID’s founder, Frits Polman, and tech teams to shape the Podcatcher Pro into the world’s smartest audio guide, integrating client feedback and the latest advancements in technology.

The Podcatcher Pro is a sleek, intuitive audio guide system that transforms the museum experience for visitors. Unlike traditional audio guides, it’s designed with simplicity at the forefront – just scan a beacon connected to a point of interest and the story unfolds, tailored to the visitor’s language and preferences. Whether it’s immersive sound quality, automatic audio triggering, or the ability to connect to wireless earbuds, the Podcatcher Pro is built to deliver a distraction-free experience.

Why is this audio guide more innovative?

What sets it apart from previous models? Thomas shares, “We’ve focused on making the Podcatcher Pro more intuitive and inspiring, with features like multilingual audio guide, improved audio quality, and the ability to support group tours with a single device. These upgrades allow museums to engage visitors in new ways – whether it’s through individual or collective experiences.”

Looking ahead, Thomas envisions even greater potential for the Podcatcher Pro, especially with the integration of AI and multi-layered audio capabilities. “By combining automatic triggering with interactive solutions, we’re on the brink of creating a next-level experience for museum-goers. Museums of all sizes, even those operated by volunteers, can benefit from the efficiency, ease, and innovation we offer.”

Museums like the Birmingham Museum Trust and Märkisches Museum Berlin are already leveraging the Podcatcher Pro to enhance their visitors’ experiences. From improving accessibility to creating dynamic, interactive tours, these institutions are using our audio tour online editor to bring their collections to life in ways never before possible. For Thomas, his role at Guide-ID goes beyond business development – it’s about making a meaningful impact in how museums share their stories. And with the Podcatcher Pro, both he and Guide-ID are helping to bring those stories to life for diverse audiences around the world.

To learn more about the Podcatcher Pro and how it can elevate your museum’s storytelling, click here for an in-depth look and to connect with Thomas directly.

Seamless storytelling made possible by the Guide ID Podcatcher Pro audio guide and cutting-edge technology.

Imagine a world where the story reaches out to you. You step into an exhibition space, and without lifting a finger or scanning a code, the narrative begins to unfold. This is the magic of automatic triggering, a revolutionary feature of the Guide ID Podcatcher Pro. By blending simplicity with innovation, it’s redefining how we communicate stories in museums, exhibitions and beyond.

A New Era of Creative Possibilities

For cultural spaces, agencies and exhibition designers, this feature offers new creative possibilities. Imagine a historic site where stories emerge as visitors wander through ancient ruins, or a sensory-focused exhibition where soundscapes adapt to the audience’s movements. By eliminating distractions, automatic triggering creates opportunities for stories to resonate in ways that feel both profound and personal.

How It Works: Effortless Audio at Every Step

At its heart, automatic triggering is all about effortlessness. Using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, small, strategically placed beacons communicate with the Podcatcher Pro audio guide. As visitors approach these trigger zones, the device seamlessly plays the relevant audio. No pressing buttons. No navigating apps – just an uninterrupted connection between the visitor and the story.

Why This Matters: Removing Barriers to Engagement

The fewer barriers there are between visitors and storytelling, the more immersive and meaningful the experience becomes. Traditional audio guides often require manual inputs – punching in numbers, scanning QR codes or fiddling with smartphones. Automatic triggering removes these steps entirely, allowing visitors to focus solely on what matters most: the story.

Designed for Any Space, Any Audience

Automatic triggering isn’t just for traditional museums. It’s a tool for any storyteller looking to make an impact: – Immersive art installations – Sync sound and movement for a sensory-rich experience. – Historical exhibits – Let visitors uncover stories as they walk through time. – Large-scale cultural events – Provide real-time, hands-free audio guidance. – This technology works offline, doesn’t rely on smartphones, and supports multiple languages—ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.

Seamless Setup for Curators and Designers

Implementing the system is as seamless as the experience it provides. Guide ID’s Beacon Pro devices can be battery-powered or connected to a power source and are positioned in key locations. Using Guide ID’s intuitive AI powered platform, exhibition designers or curators can easily assign audio content to each beacon, define trigger zones, and even adjust settings on the fly. Once the setup is in place, the system runs effortlessly, letting your creative vision take centre stage.

The benefits go beyond convenience. Automatic triggering transforms storytelling by making it invisible. Visitors are no longer preoccupied with how to engage; they simply move naturally through the space while the narrative unfolds. This hands-free approach allows for deeper visitor engagement, encouraging them to connect emotionally with the content.

The success of this feature is rooted in Guide ID’s commitment to simplicity and innovation. Unlike relying on GPS or cumbersome apps, the Podcatcher Pro audio guide operates independently of smartphones, ensuring reliability even in remote or signal-challenged locations – and because it’s so easy to use, it empowers curators and designers to experiment, refine, and optimise storytelling in real-time based on visitor feedback.

Real-World Impact: Case Study from CBK Zuidoost

One example of this technology in action comes from “Between A Dance & Sitting In A Chair,” an evocative exhibition by artist Sharelly Emanuelson at CBK Zuidoost. This multisensory experience explored the legacies of colonialism in the Caribbean through a powerful mix of film, photography, and sound. Visitors were plunged into complete darkness, relying solely on the Podcatcher Pro to guide them. The precise timing and placement of the audio created an emotional depth that elevated the entire experience, ensuring the exhibition’s message was felt as much as it was heard.

Shaping the Future of Storytelling

In an era where attention spans are short and distractions are plenty, the ability to craft moments of true immersion is invaluable. Automatic triggering ensures that technology takes a backseat while stories take centre stage. It’s not just a feature – it’s a way to rethink how we connect with audiences and bring narratives to life.

To learn more about the Podcatcher Pro and how it can elevate your storytelling, click here for an in-depth look and to connect with our Business Development Manager, Thomas Fikken.