Germany: ZOOM Erlebniswelt Extends Digital Offer
Germany’s ZOOM Erlebniswelt adventure zoo, which welcomed around one million visitors in the 2016 season, focuses on comprehensive digitalization this year. After free WLAN had been installed all over the park’s area in 2015 – in cooperation with Chinese technology partner HUAWEI (c.f. EAP news from July 14th, 2015) – ZOOM Erlebniswelt now extends its digital edutainment offer for smartphone users.
Thanks to an increased use of augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR) elements, visitors to the zoo can experience Asia’s exotic animals in the AR game “Jungle Kingdom” (G.: “Reich des Dschungels”) or search virtually for escaped animals in “ZOOM Good Nose” (G.: “ZOOM Spürnase”). A special focus is laid on “ZOOM Safari”, providing little guests with quiz questions, videos and digital games so they can learn more about the zoo’s animals. Also, the park has extended its use of the so-called “Beacon” technology – the little bluetooth transmitters have been installed at several stations throughout the park to provide information on the animals directly on the smartphone when passing by.
The “360° ZOOM App” offers edutainment by providing knowledge on the three park areas “Africa”, “Alaska” and “Asia”, specially adjusted for the target audience. Furthermore, the app offers a 360° view out of the animal enclosures immersing guests into their world. Integrated “magic binoculars” create digital landscapes when visitors scan ZOOM post cards, stickers or animal signs. Seeing so much technology, it is no surprise that the guests can book their tickets to ZOOM Erlebniswelt in advance by using the “iZOOM App”, avoiding large queues at the counters. Useful information such as opening and feeding hours can be retrieved as well. (eap)
