Beacon Talk: “How long do you think it would take for you to saw off someone’s leg?”

“How long do you think it would take for you to saw off someone’s leg?” is one of the push notifications a visitor receives when using the Encurate powered mobile app at The International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago, IL. (Robert Liston, an early Scottish surgeon, could amputate a leg in 2 ½ minutes.)

Push notifications are one of the charms of beacon technology; it gives the museum the ability to alert an app user that they’re near something they’re interested in. Increasing spatial awareness and highlighting small details in a space allows for a more in-depth experience, through the top-layer and into the nitty-gritty of the stories you have to tell. A beacon-enabled mobile app is a great way to deliver a thought-provoking experience. Best of all, beacons function without WIFI, cell service, or GPS allowing for usability in nearly any space.

At Encurate, we did front-end visitor research pertaining to using push notifications in the museum. From there, our team was able to design a flawless beacon experience for app users that enhanced their visit and mobile experience. We are actively exploring how beacons can be used in museums to spark curiosity in visitors. What if your museum’s mobile app was a catalyst of curiosity in your space?