App and totem Ia, the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento becomes more accessible

The Pietro Griffo Regional Archaeological Museum in Agrigento is becoming more accessible for visitors with disabilities and beyond. The project to remove physical and cognitive barriers was presented this morning by the director of the Valley of the Temples Archaeological and Landscape Park Roberto Sciarratta and the CEO of Bbs Bruno Bottini, the company that designed and implemented the interventions. The project was financed by the Ministry of Culture with funds allocated by the Pnrr Cultura. The technological heart of everything will be a smartphone app, called MYGRIFFO, which will act as a digital guide for visitors, offering personalized content and orientation functions within the museum, with an SOS button for emergencies and the possibility of participating in recreational experiences.

At the entrance to the Valley, near the Giunone ticket office, visitors will find a large totem equipped with a 55-inch touch display connected to an AI avatar that will provide information, directions and updates in real time: they will be able to request information on recommended routes, discover the exhibitions active in the museum or check the ticket options. In six strategic points of the structure, raised touch panels equipped with NFC sensors have been created that will allow visitors to access personalized multimedia content directly on their mobile device. The panels are designed to represent the museum's exhibits in a tactile way and offer audio explanations, LIS videos and simplified texts, making the content accessible to everyone but still usable even by people without disabilities.

There will also be interactive tactile maps that will guide visitors along the museum and archaeological route. To make the experience even more immersive, each panel is associated with a tactile reproduction of 3D printed archaeological finds that will allow visitors to touch the shape and details of the finds. Another innovative element is represented by the NFC smart rings, distributed to visitors to allow interaction with the installations: these are rings that can be configured via a dedicated app, which will activate personalized content based on the user profile, facilitating the visit experience and introducing gamification mechanisms to increase involvement. Finally, the entire system will be supported by an advanced wifi infrastructure. The Bbs company will also be responsible for training the Museum staff to manage new technologies and offer an inclusive welcome.

“Making the most advanced technologies coexist with our cultural heritage - said the Councilor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, Francesco Paolo Scarpinato - is a challenge that we are facing with conviction: innovation does not replace heritage, but enhances it. We are carrying out more and more digitalization and 3D technology projects to make the use of our cultural heritage increasingly accessible, engaging and sustainable”. “The Valley of the Temples is today one of the most accessible and inclusive cultural heritage thanks to the work done in recent years to provide all visitors with the opportunity to enjoy, with their own abilities, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - added the director of the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples Roberto Sciarratta - An important investment but above all a path that is enriched today by this project at the Griffo museum, whose precious collections will now become even more of a common heritage”.

“Having created the project to enhance the Museum in design for all mode with innovative digital solutions also based on artificial intelligence systems one day after the entry into force of the European directive on digital accessibility - concluded the CEO of Bbs Bruno Bottini - demonstrates the vision, sensitivity and innovation of our company”.