Master Corporal Lana
Virtual Assistant, CloudConstable
Master Corporal Lana recently joined the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum, but she isn’t any ordinary recruit. Lana is an animated virtual assistant developed by CloudConstable. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), she’s poised to revolutionize the visitor and volunteer experience at the museum. “We’re always looking to present historical content in fresh ways, and this was an innovative way to do so,” says Jeremy Neal Blowers, Executive Director at the museum. “There’s also a practical application because Lana can help to automate the entry process, especially when we host large events.”
Integrating the technology into the museum’s operations was seamless. All that was required was an internet connection, and Blowers says that it was easy to customize the technology by working with CloudConstable. “We love working with them,” says Blowers. “When we first tested Lana, people were curious and excited to see a virtual person assisting them. They wanted her to do more, which helped us develop the capabilities further.” Lana uses an advanced Intel® RealSense™ depth camera, which allows the museum to extend her capabilities for natural human interactions and to provide new and useful functionality.
Intel® RealSense™ technology is used to develop products that enrich people’s lives by enabling devices and machines to perceive the world in 3D. CloudConstable leverages RealSense technology to create a state-of-the-art natural voice and vision interface for touchless, self-service COVID-19 screening. We are excited to partner with CloudConstable to deliver innovation that improves lives.
Joel Hagberg, Head of Product Management and Marketing, Intel RealSense Group
Lana is proving her value in ways that weren’t expected when the museum began working with the technology last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has expanded Lana’s role, as she can screen visitors and staff and provide health and safety guidance such as reminders on hand washing and social distancing. She even has a body scanning feature with fever-screening protocol. “It’s comforting having a touchless, safe reception and entry experience,” says Blowers. “Lana allows us to sidestep some of the challenges that other museums and cultural spaces are having to deal with, while offering our visitors an innovative experience that they’ll enjoy and that’ll make them feel safe.”
The Surprising Benefits of a Virtual Assistant
The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum is welcoming Master Corporal Lana into its ranks. The museum’s Executive Director, Jeremy Neal Blowers, shares how she’s revolutionizing the visitor and volunteer experience at the museum.
What motivated the RCAC Museum to invest in this technology?
We’re always experimenting with new technology to enhance our visitor experience, and CloudConstable’s virtual assistant provides a next-generation solution.
How does it work?
Lana is pre-programmed to do tasks, answer specific questions, and give directions to visitors. We can program the questions that people ask most. She can help automate our entry process, and with facial recognition technology she can provide an enhanced experience for pass holders, staff, and volunteers. For example, tracking volunteer hours can be done automatically.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed Lana’s duties?
When we first started working with Lana last year, we didn’t know we’d be impacted by COVID-19, but we’ve been able to pivot and the technology is allowing us to get ahead of the curve when it comes to re-opening the museum. Lana provides a safe, touchless reception and entry experience that reduces face-to-face interaction. She’s able to screen visitors and staff and alert us if anything’s wrong. There’s also a built-in body scanning feature with fever-screening protocol.
What impact does this technology have on the museum?
It’s a game-changer for us. We can already see a lot of uses for it, not only for museums and cultural spaces, but for other areas of society.
