SkyView, the attraction on top of the world’s largest spherical building, Ericsson Globe, an ASM Global arena in Stockholm, Sweden, is now the first tourist attraction to immerse visitors in sights, sounds, and history of the city’s landmarks using Microsoft Soundscape and its innovative 3D audio technology.
Originally designed to give blind and low vision people a richer awareness of their surroundings, visitors can now discover and explore their surroundings through the headphones and phone app built on Microsoft Soundscape technology, which uses the latest mapping technology to orient people in their environment. For example, when a visitor using Soundscape wants to locate the Royal Palace, they are guided by Soundscape’s audio cues and ‘auditorily transported’ to the courtyard where all around them they can hear horses neighing and the trumpet blaring during the changing of the guard.
The idea was conceived by the Stockholm Live team who wanted to evolve the overall SkyView experience to educate visitors and enable them to forge a deeper relationship with the local landmarks. At the same time, it was important to ensure the technology aided the human experience without obstructing the spectacular ride already in place.
Jarnail Chudge, Innovation Architect and co-founder of Microsoft Soundscape, says:
“Part of being human is about understanding the world based on what we see, hear, and feel about interactions between people and environments. Soundscape provides the opportunity to experience environments with hearing in new ways, which strengthens the understanding and the relationship with our environment.”
Stockholm Live’s Anna Fernlund, who is responsible for the collaboration with Microsoft, says:
“Having Microsoft develop the service for SkyView is a next step in making more activities accessible through technology in Stockholm, while adding value to the city’s most iconic buildings and landmarks.” “Being the first tourist attraction in the world that offers this new technology is very special to us and we’re so pleased we can create an even more unique experience for our visitors.”
–ENDS–
For Stockholm Live media enquiries contact:
daniel.stalbo@stockholmlive.com
For Microsoft media enquiries contact:
swedenpress@microsoft.com
Jarnail.Chudge@microsoft.com
About Stockholm Live and ASM Global
Stockholm Live runs the Nordic region’s most visited arenas in the form of Ericsson Globe, Hovet, Annexet, Tele2 Arena and the attraction SkyView in Stockholm, and Friends Arena in Solna. Every year, about 3 million people visit Stockholm Live arenas and the more than 330 sporting and entertainment events that they are attended to.
Stockholm Live is a part of ESA member ASM Global, the leading provider of innovative venue services and live experiences. ASM Global was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences.
ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem-solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.