From idea to product: the new podcatcher is on the way
Frits Polman • mar 17, 2022
Guide-ID is a tech company – always has been, always will be. We use technology to make it easy for cultural institutions around the world to share their stories with visitors. We saw the pandemic as an opportunity to create and develop a whole new ecosystem.
The first prototypes are now at our office. In this article, I’d like to take you through the process from idea to product. And what a fantastic product it is. The new Podcatcher will become the new benchmark in storytelling.
Programming in the 1980s
People who know me will say I’m a geek, especially when it comes to tech. I started programming at the young age of 15. In those days (we’re talking around 1988), that was something quite exceptional. If you do it right, you can use hardware and software to make complex things very simple. This is also at the core of we do at Guide-ID, as well as of the first Podcatcher from 2009. That Podcatcher, with a few major upgrades in the meantime, has shared almost half a billion stories around the world in the last thirteen years.
Programming in the 1980s
People who know me will say I’m a geek, especially when it comes to tech. I started programming at the young age of 15. In those days (we’re talking around 1988), that was something quite exceptional. If you do it right, you can use hardware and software to make complex things very simple. This is also at the core of we do at Guide-ID, as well as of the first Podcatcher from 2009. That Podcatcher, with a few major upgrades in the meantime, has shared almost half a billion stories around the world in the last thirteen years.
Development and optimization during the pandemic
Thirteen years is a long time. But in the world of tech, it’s an eternity. While the adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ still applies, a company like Guide-ID is obviously always looking for new opportunities and possibilities. And so, in early 2020 – right at the start of the pandemic – we decided to use that time to develop a whole new ecosystem.
Behaviour analysis
First, some stocktaking. What products do you have? Are they used by customers? Is there a difference in usage between different customers and countries?
What works well? Which things work less well in real life than they did on paper? We identified all these questions by actively surveying our customers and, of course, looking at our data. As tech enthusiasts, we use all the data we collect to analyse user and product behaviour.
No limits
Now for the fun bit: brainstorming about what should be possible. Removing all technical barriers – which is sometimes quite difficult for us geeks – we brainstormed with our team, customers, interactive partners, exhibition designers, and friends and family. It went crazy. But that was the point! The result was a Podcatcher that had unlimited battery power, spoke all languages, could communicate instantaneously with the cloud, always knew to the nearest centimetre where it was, knew where other visitors were, and created an interactive game with the museum. And now the harsh reality...
Thirteen years is a long time. But in the world of tech, it’s an eternity. While the adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ still applies, a company like Guide-ID is obviously always looking for new opportunities and possibilities. And so, in early 2020 – right at the start of the pandemic – we decided to use that time to develop a whole new ecosystem.
Behaviour analysis
First, some stocktaking. What products do you have? Are they used by customers? Is there a difference in usage between different customers and countries?
What works well? Which things work less well in real life than they did on paper? We identified all these questions by actively surveying our customers and, of course, looking at our data. As tech enthusiasts, we use all the data we collect to analyse user and product behaviour.
No limits
Now for the fun bit: brainstorming about what should be possible. Removing all technical barriers – which is sometimes quite difficult for us geeks – we brainstormed with our team, customers, interactive partners, exhibition designers, and friends and family. It went crazy. But that was the point! The result was a Podcatcher that had unlimited battery power, spoke all languages, could communicate instantaneously with the cloud, always knew to the nearest centimetre where it was, knew where other visitors were, and created an interactive game with the museum. And now the harsh reality...
Sneak preview of the new Podcatcher
Because you actually have to deliver on those ideas. The product needs to be understandable for visitors and museum staff alike. It also has to be produced, which in today’s chip market is especially difficult. But we made it work – the first prototypes are ready, and I’m incredibly proud. Here’s a little sneak preview...
Imagine a device that tells museum visitors stories in their language, at their level. A device that takes visitors through the museum, based on the story. Depending on the location in the museum, visitors can hear atmospheric music, stories start automatically as soon as they arrive at art objects, and they can effortlessly activate a feature themselves. The room essentially forms to the visitor, and large screens display a clip as soon as a visitor approaches them.
Visitors can use the device like a controller to play a game and share their thoughts on certain topics. All these thoughts are continuously collected and presented directly, 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. Just imagine... It’ll all be a reality soon! The new Podcatcher makes it possible.
Testing, testing, and more testing
However, before we get to that stage, we’ll test, test and test again in our team as well as with partners and customers. If you’d like to test it with us or have any ideas for how to make the product even better, please send me a message. I’m always open to adding new ideas to this awesome product.
Because you actually have to deliver on those ideas. The product needs to be understandable for visitors and museum staff alike. It also has to be produced, which in today’s chip market is especially difficult. But we made it work – the first prototypes are ready, and I’m incredibly proud. Here’s a little sneak preview...
Imagine a device that tells museum visitors stories in their language, at their level. A device that takes visitors through the museum, based on the story. Depending on the location in the museum, visitors can hear atmospheric music, stories start automatically as soon as they arrive at art objects, and they can effortlessly activate a feature themselves. The room essentially forms to the visitor, and large screens display a clip as soon as a visitor approaches them.
Visitors can use the device like a controller to play a game and share their thoughts on certain topics. All these thoughts are continuously collected and presented directly, 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. Just imagine... It’ll all be a reality soon! The new Podcatcher makes it possible.
Testing, testing, and more testing
However, before we get to that stage, we’ll test, test and test again in our team as well as with partners and customers. If you’d like to test it with us or have any ideas for how to make the product even better, please send me a message. I’m always open to adding new ideas to this awesome product.
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