The Locatomator system allows visitors to collectively build a database of stories, images and sounds at the museum using a special device, or at home using their own mobile device or PC. It is a digital recording system that you can use to tag your location while recording video, sound and still images.

.

Museum Version

Designed to resemble a big, fun thumbtack, the Locatomator is a digital recording device that you can use to tag your location as well as video, sound and still images. The device records video, stills and audio when pressed against a wall, the floor or anything else.

This version of the device, intended to be used within the museum itself, transmits media and location data over wireless local network to MMM server. Images are viewable on public displays or on others’ devices in the museum after they are taken (if you decide to share them.)

.

Retail Version

The Retail version of the device would transmit media and location data over a broadband cellular network to the MMM server. Images are viewable on website or to other users of the system (if you decide to share them.)

The retail version of the Locatomator device would be available at the gift shop or online.

Mobile Phone Option

In order to encourage visitors to continue participating in the community mapping project after leaving the museum, as well as to enable participation at any price point, a Locatomator cellphone option would be developed. Intended for older kids and adults, the software would be downloadable from the museum website and has the same functionality as the Locatomator device. It runs on any compatible gps-enabled mobile phone. We feel that a free downloadble piece of software could easily be developed to integrate with the previously-created database, and the low barrier to entry would allow visitors to extend their experience geographically and temporally.