In front of the “Future City” digital sand table at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, German architect Thomas was bending over to stare at the model. All of a sudden, the audio guide in his hand made a “ding” sound and automatically played an English explanation: “This green community will certainly be geared up with photovoltaic or pv curtain walls. When it rains, the rainwater can be recycled and reused. It will certainly be completed by 2030 …” The traffic route animation likewise popped up on the display. He couldn’t aid but attract along the virtual subway line with his finger, sputtering, “This transfer style is very sensible.”
This planning exhibition hall, which houses the city’s century-old stories and future blueprints, obtains over 800,000 visitors each year, one fifth of whom are foreigners. In the very early years, it was incredibly challenging for every person to comprehend these plans: ordinary people would certainly gaze blankly at the indicators of “floor area ratio” and “sponge city”, experts would certainly assume the descriptions were as well superficial, and numerous groups would certainly crowd with each other, with Chinese and English mixed up right into a mess. It was not till the Yingmi intelligent tour guide system came in that these “futures” printed on blueprints and standing in sand tables finally had a “voice” that people could comprehend.
As a nationwide high-tech enterprise that has actually been engaged in the manufacturing of interpretation devices for 18 years, Yingmi has long passed the European CE and ROHS certifications. Previously, it has actually provided assisted Tours for the overseas exhibition halls of Huawei and Ad, along with the British Gallery. This time around, when tailoring the system for the planning exhibition hall, the group stayed in the hall for 12 days. Adhering To Director Chen, the administrator, it was kept in mind that tourists stayed the lengthiest before the digital sand table. Foreigners constantly asked, “What modern technology was used in this planning?” And the elderly suched as to listen to “ordinary language” descriptions– all these became the yardsticks for system optimization.
I.The “problem” of the Urban Planning Exhibition hall
The core of the Urban Planning exhibition hall is to allow every person to comprehend “exactly how the city has actually evolved from the past to the here and now and what it will certainly end up being in the future”. Nonetheless, planning this issue is as well specialized. Furthermore, the visitors have various needs, making it exceptionally challenging to describe clearly. Director Chen, the administrator, has actually been in charge of the Planning gallery for six years. When discussing the past troubles, he constantly likes to flip through the guestbook: “We had the best illustrations, yet we could not locate a method for every person to comprehend them.”
1.Professional term “choke point”: The elderly can’t comprehend it, and experts assume it’s superficial
Words in the planning exhibition hall are tough for ordinary people to comprehend quickly. The terms “floor area ratio”, “green space ratio” and “TOD model” sound like incomprehensible languages. Once, a retired elderly man invested a very long time in the “Smart Transport” area and asked the overview, “What is BRT?” The overview said, “It’s a fast bus.” The elderly man after that asked, “What’s the difference from a regular bus?” The overview couldn’t address. The old man later on wrote in the guestbook, “The illustration is nice, yet I just can’t comprehend it.” I felt truly poor looking at it. Director Chen said.
Experts, nonetheless, assume the content is as well superficial. Thomas came for the very first time and wanted to find out about the water purification modern technology in Shanghai’s “One River and One Stream” strategy. Nonetheless, the description just said, “We want to make the water’s edge much more beautiful,” without mentioning what procedures were used or what plants were chosen. He invested a very long time taking photos around the design and finally said to Director Chen, “I came to try to find some technical details, yet I didn’t see anything.”
2.Several groups on the same phase are in a mess: The voices of the descriptions are supplanting sequence
At the very least ten groups come to check out each day, with government assessment groups, enterprise research study groups and school research study Visits all crowded with each other. The previous audio guide did not have a zonal feature. The Chinese group discussed greening in the “Future Community”, and the English group discussed factory format in the “Industrial Zone” The voices constantly socialized with each other. Last fall, a group of overseas organizers and a domestic research study trip group both stayed at the digital sand table area. The former couldn’t listen to the information of wise power clearly, while the latter was so disturbed by English that they couldn’t bear in mind. Director Chen needed to staggered both groups, and the originally one-hour check out was postponed by 2 hours.
What’s much more humiliating is the crucial function. After a city planning press conference, a delegation of leaders came to check out a “vital job”. Suddenly, the voices of the vacationers beside them came out, and the scene fell silent immediately, which was especially uncomfortable. “Team brows through are the standard. We shouldn’t let the noise spoil the professionalism of the planning exhibition hall.”.
3.Foreigners “can’t comprehend”: Language barrier, a lost journey
Nowadays, a growing number of foreigners come to the planning exhibition hall, yet the majority of the moment, there are just descriptions in Chinese and English. Thomas came for the very first time and roamed around aimlessly with a Chinese group. The English words on the display boards were simply a few lines. When he saw the “Sponge City” design, he thought it was “some green belts” When he saw the introduction of the “TOD model”, he thought it was simply an average shopping center. Later on, he told me that it seemed like viewing a quiet movie. He recognized there was something in these plans, yet simply couldn’t comprehend them.
In 2014, the scenario was also worse when we obtained a delegation from a Southeast Oriental city. There was no Malay language description, and the delegation participants could just equate the exhibition boards sentence by sentence with their cellphones. The one-hour check out was postponed for 2 hours. Prior to leaving, the delegation leader said, “Following time, we require to bring a specialist translator.” Director Chen felt unpleasant and said, “They came below especially to pick up from experience, yet were obstructed by words. What a pity!”
II. Yingmi Intelligent Tour Guide System: No need to push buttons
The intelligent tour guide system of Yingmi is exactly made to address these discomfort factors of planning galleries– it doesn’t need complex procedures, can describe expert content clearly, and additionally makes it possible for foreigners to comprehend, hitting the nail on the head.
1.RFID automatic sensing: Wherever you go, the description adheres to
The system adopts RFID-2.4 G modern technology. Transmitters are installed in each exhibition area. Tourists take the tour guide device and do not require to push any buttons. When they come close to the description factor, the tool will automatically seem. When you get to the “Century of Changes” area, you will certainly speak about “the city changing from a fishing village right into a global city”. When approaching the “Future Community” design, one would certainly ask, “Exactly how does the photovoltaic or pv drape wall surface generate electricity? Exactly how is the rainwater reused?” When you stroll to the digital sand table, the description can be synchronized with the animation inside the sand table. If you say, “A subway is mosting likely to be built below,” the subway lines inside the sand table will certainly brighten.
This design makes it possible for visitors to concentrate on checking out the displays without being sidetracked by dealing with the devices. An auntie told me, “You do not need to push any buttons. It’s even more comfortable than adhering to a tour guide.” Director Chen said that when Thomas came for the 2nd time, he stayed by the digital sand table with the tour guide for half an hour. The devices automatically changed from “ecological repair” to “traffic planning” along the path he took, without missing out on a solitary information.
2.Split description: The elderly comprehend, and experts additionally commend
To guarantee that everybody can comprehend, the system is described in three layers: The standard layer is in simple language, specifying “floor area ratio” as “how much land is inhabited by the houses in the community”, and “sponge city” as “allow the city store rainwater like a sponge”. Let’s explore the information, such as “The floor area ratio is preferably in between 2.0 and 3.0.” Experts offer data such as “What water quality indications should be used for ecological repair?” and “Exactly how should commercial residential properties be proportioned in the TOD model?”
Ordinary tourists can easily comprehend the standard degree. Experts that switch over to the expert degree can acquire useful technical details. Thomas discovered that in Shanghai’s “One River and One Stream” strategy, “environmental drifting islands + marine plants” were used to cleanse water quality. He additionally got the specific parameters. Prior to leaving, he intentionally said, “This system is much more expert than I assumed.”
The content of the description has actually additionally been evaluated by urban planning experts to ensure that the terms are correct. For example, when it involves “BRT”, one could say, “It has actually devoted lanes, can pass initially at traffic signals, and can bring a multitude of people.” When it involves “TOD”, it can discuss “building shopping malls, homes and office complex around a subway terminal”. Whether you comprehend planning or otherwise, you can comprehend it clearly.
3.Multilingual + anti-interference: Foreigners comprehend, no fights in numerous groups
For foreigners, the system sustains 12 languages, consisting of English, French, German and Arabic. Thomas paid attention to “sponge city” in English. The devices said “sponge city gathers rainwater with plants and tiny islands to keep rainwater” (sponge city uses plants and tiny islands to keep rainwater), not simply an easy translation, with descriptions included; When discussing “TOD”, say “concentrate on metros, mix stores, homes and workplaces” (centering around the metro, placing shopping malls, homes and workplaces with each other) to avoid misconceptions.
At the same time, the system has 16 independent networks, so numerous groups seeing at the same time will certainly not crosstalk. Last National Day, three groups stayed in the digital sand table area. The Chinese group paid attention to the standard descriptions, the English group paid attention to the expert content, and the Japanese group paid attention to the data. Each group paid attention to their very own points silently. “Prior to, when numerous groups came, it was like going to a market. Currently, it’s finally not loud anymore.” Director Chen said with a smile.

III. “Mindful” Information: Practical and sturdy
The system of Yingmi has actually been able to acquire a company foothold in planning galleries. It is not just because of its solid core functions yet additionally because of its thoughtful information. These are all facets that overseas planning galleries could be worried about:
1.The device is light-weight and has a long battery life
The tour guide device weighs simply 80 grams, also lighter than a smart phone. You can use it around your neck for an entire day without really feeling awkward. The battery life can last for 12 hours, from available to closing, without the need for butting in the middle. As soon as, the pupils in the research study excursion group led the team for an entire day and said at night, “There’s still fifty percent of the electrical power left.” Xiao Li, that supervises of the devices, said.
2.Fast content updates
Urban planning is constantly transforming. It is common for brand-new jobs to be implemented while old plans are changed. The system sustains real-time content adjustment behind-the-scenes. There is no need to change devices or re-install the transmitter. When the adjustment is done on the computer, the overview device can be upgraded the following time it is switched on. This year, several brand-new planning jobs have actually been included in Shanghai. We changed the content in the early morning, and tourists can hear it in the mid-day. It’s so hassle-free. Director Chen said.
3.Be able to sight data and understand what tourists like
The back-end can reveal which exhibition area visitors remain the lengthiest, which language they choose to utilize, and which displays are scanned much more often. Director Chen found through the data that everybody was most curious about “future communities”, so he included much more associated versions. Seeing that foreigners frequently utilize English and Japanese, I concentrated on maximizing the descriptions in these 2 languages and included much more technical details. “Prior to, readjusting the exhibits was all based upon assumptions. Currently, with data to adhere to, it’s far more accurate.”
IV.Overseas customers can additionally utilize it with self-confidence: compliant, service-oriented, and well-informed
Many overseas planning galleries pertained to check out and asked Director Chen, “Why did you choose Yingmi?” The solution depends on the 15-year accumulation of Yingmi:
1.Comprehensive conformity certification, no fear of rigorous overseas criteria
The system has actually passed the European CE and ROHS certifications. It can be used typically in Europe, America or Southeast Asia, and there is no need to bother with milestone authorization issues. An individual from the French Planning Gallery came, considered the certification documents and said on the spot, “We can discuss participation.” Manager Zhang accountable of overseas company said.
2.After-sales solution is in place and there’s no need to wait for a time distinction
Yingmi has actually established after-sales solution factors in numerous cities around the world. If there is any kind of problem with the devices, they can reach the door within one hour. We additionally provide 7×24-hour customer support in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Whether it’s setting up the system, tailoring the content or fixing small concerns, we can react promptly. “Previously, when Singapore intended to set up the system for the exhibition hall, our specialists provided video clip assistance and it was finished in simply 3 days without needing to wait for a time distinction.”
3.I have actually handled many situations and understand what a planning gallery wants
Yingmi has actually previously supplied systems for planning galleries in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chengdu, and has additionally offered the British Gallery and Huawei’s overseas exhibition halls. It totally recognizes the demands that “planning galleries should be expert and cross-language” “Overseas customers choose us since they understand we will not let them fall under catches and they don’t need to describe from square one ‘what the planning exhibition hall needs’.”
V.Verdict: Allow the future of the city be recognized by even more individuals
At the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall at night, the setup sunlight tinted the digital sand table gold. Thomas held the audio guide and finally quit at the “Eco-City” area. The English discourse in his headphones was still saying, “The future of this city is not just about high structures, yet additionally about green hills and clear waters …” He took out his mobile phone, videotaped a video clip and sent it to his overseas associates: “This system enables us to absolutely recognize China’s planning and deserves picking up from.”
Yingmi’s advancement of intelligent tour guides is never ever concerning “displaying modern technology”. It intends to make the blueprints in urban planning galleries easy to understand to ordinary people, recognized by experts, and mimicked by overseas peers. Without challenging procedures or extra investing, tourists can simply take the tour guide and have a discussion with the future of the city– this is what a planning exhibition hall should appear like.
In the future, Yingmi additionally plans to include some brand-new functions: for instance, using AR to allow tourists to “enter” the future community and take a look at what their Windows resemble. Include much more minor languages to make sure that customers of Arabic and Russian can additionally recognize them. Nevertheless, the future of a city is not something repainted theoretically; it is something that everybody can recognize and anticipate. And what Yingmi intends to do is to allow this assumption get to even more individuals’s hearts with a clear voice.
FAQ for Yingmi Intelligent Tour Guide System:
Q1: How does the audio guide automatically play explanations?
A1: The system uses RFID-2.4G technology with transmitters installed in each exhibition area. When visitors approach a point of interest, the tour guide device automatically detects the location and plays the corresponding explanation without any button pressing.
Q2: How many languages does the tour guide system support?
A2: The system currently supports 12 languages, including English, French, German, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and more, with contextual explanations tailored for each language.
Q3: Can the system handle multiple groups visiting at the same time?
A3: Yes, the system operates on 16 independent channels, preventing crosstalk between different groups. Each group can listen to their preferred language and content level without interference.
Q4: How long does the battery last on the tour guide device?
A4: The lightweight device (only 80 grams) offers up to 12 hours of battery life, easily covering a full day of operation without needing a recharge.
Q5: Is the content easy to update when exhibition information changes?
A5: Yes, content can be updated in real time via a backend computer system. Changes are synchronized to the devices automatically, with no need to replace hardware or reinstall transmitters.