Futuristic History is a two-year research project started in January 2013, implemented in cooperation with University of Turku and VTT Technical Research Center of Finland. Its goal is to research and develop augmented reality based solutions and business models for tourism and culture. TEKES, The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, is funding the project and there are several partners from ICT, travel and museum sectors.

The project creates working prototypes, which present historically important locations in new, interesting ways. Special focus is on augmented reality techniques, which mix digital content with real-life environments. Finding economical and efficient ways to make such content is also an essential part of the work. It is investigated what kind of business models would be feasible and attractive in museum context.

The target locations of the project are in the region of Turku, which is the former capital of Finland and has several historically interesting sites. We have already completed a mobile 3D virtual guide of a short-lived 16th century church in Turku. Other target locations include Luostarinmäki handicraft museum, which is the only preserved part of 18th century wooden city of Turku, and the Louhisaari manor, one of the rare palatial style manors in Finland. In these locations, the original residents’ daily life and work will be presented using augmented reality solutions. We may also be able to reveal hidden details or let physically disabled persons to look through walls of difficult-to-access rooms. In central Turku, old photographs will be used to give a virtual view of some buildings that have been demolished long ago.

We present the goals and production principles behind the prototypes implemented during the project. We also briefly discuss the challenges and opportunities of bringing augmented reality solutions to the museum settings from both the museum professionals’ and end-users’ perspectives.