BRUM AR

Brum AR is an app fusing augmented reality with real-time location tracking. Experience Brum in a whole new way, with the very first layer all about the music heritage of our city!

Client

A project developed by BOM in collaboration with Business Improvement Districts and with key funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Skills

Development
3D Modelling
Animation
GeoSpatial Creator

Overview

Brum AR is a mobile app that allows residents and tourists alike to experience an immersive journey of their choosing, with a tool that blends the city’s vibrant culture and progressive spirit with the endless possibilities of immersive technology. 

Brum AR will launch as an initial, music-themed experience, with the potential to add further themed layers at a later date.

Key Objectives

  • An easy-to-use app which allows visitors and residents to experience Birmingham in a whole new way.
  • Work with local BIDs (Colmore, Southside, JQBID and the city curator to include key landmarks in the city.
  • Work with local music historian Jez Collins to create a music-themed layer.
  • Release on both Android and iOS

The Approach

  • Worked with cultural partners across the city to enable a rich and ever-evolving app for the city. This includes Business Improvement Districts: Southside BID, Colmore BID, City Curator, Jewellery Quarter BID as well as key funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
  • Collaborating with Jez Collins from Birmingham Music Archive on a music themed layer
  • Use augmented reality tools (GeoSpatial Creator, powered by ARcore and the Google Maps platform) to create a functional app that allows users to experience the physical world and the augmented reality items placed within the experience.
  • Create 3D models of important figures in Birmingham’s musical history.
  • Building a scalable digital framework for easy integration of future themes and partnerships.

The Results

Brum AR is an ongoing project.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus