Full-duplex radio communication in construction.
Evolution of technology: digital vs. analog tour-guide systems
The world around us is constantly evolving and moving forward. Technology often changes faster than we can keep up with it. Tour guide system technology is also advancing. Manufacturers strive to meet the diverse needs of users.
Communication Systems on an International Scale
Many tour guide systems are used by travel agencies that are not limited to tours in just one country, or even one continent. However, contrary to appearances, this is not so simple. Many systems are still limited by frequency and can only be used on one continent. (more on this topic here). Currently, there is only one system, Okayo OTG-102, which can be used in both Europe and the United States simply by changing the transmitter itself.
Tour Guide Systems Accessible to Everyone
Tour guide system manufacturers strive to consider increasingly broader groups of users. They ensure display readability so that it does not pose an obstacle for people with vision problems. More and more systems also utilize Hearing Aid Compatible technology so that people wearing hearing aids can use them with ease.
Conveniences for the Guide
No one wants to interrupt a tour halfway through and change channels if interference occurs. At this point, systems such as mGuide Pellegrino 2, Okayo WaveTalk, or Okayo OTG-102 can automatically select and change to a channel where interference will not be disruptive.
Organizing and controlling groups can be a demanding task. To facilitate the work of group leaders, the Okayo OTG-102 system offers several very useful functions:
- The Roll-Call function enables checking attendance and counting group members.
- The Calling Alarm option allows calling tourists, for example, after a previously scheduled break or stop.
- The Out-Of-Range Alarm function will notify when a tour participant loses signal range or moves too far away.
During tours, the portability and weight of the devices used are particularly important, and here the Okayo WaveTalk system, weighing only 55g, certainly stands out. An interesting solution is also offered by Okayo OTG-102, whose devices can operate on one or two AA batteries, depending on whether reducing device weight or its performance is more important.
Additional audio sources such as a smartphone or mp3 player with music or a pre-recorded audio guide can be connected to mGuide DLR-01 and Okayo OTG-102 devices to diversify the tour and make breaks in transmission more pleasant.
Manufacturers continuously strive to implement solutions that respond to the dynamically developing market. Modern solutions constantly evolve to meet the growing needs of users and the demand for greater accessibility. It is worth paying attention to new offerings, as many of them may still surprise us.
