SK Telecom launches AR guide app for heritage site

SK Telecom has launched an augmented reality (AR) guide app for a South Korean heritage site, the company on Monday.

The app, dubbed ARirang, can be turned on at ChangDeokGoong Palace in Seoul. Users can use the smartphone camera to view locations within the palace and a character based on South Korea’s mystical creature Haechi will appear and explain to the user what they are seeing.

The execution is similar to that of AR game sensation Pokemon Go launched few years back, but boasts higher resolution and superior animation transitions.

The carrier said it combined its 5G mobile edge computing technology with Google’s New AR core for the app.

SK Telecom said the app will be available only for 5G smartphones. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy Note 10 Plus and the Galaxy S20 series as well as LG V50 5G will support ARirang.

As the app was designed using Google’s AR platform, it will not be available on the upcoming iPhone, the carrier said. 

The app was made in collaboration with local AR firm Seerslab.

Visitors to ChangDeokGoong Palace can burrow a 5G smartphone for free to use the app in their tour, the carrier said.

ARirang is SK Telecom’s first consumer service that uses 5G mobile edge computing. Those who use the app within the palace will feel a 60% boost in download speed thanks to the mini data centers installed near the site. SK Telecom said it had 12 5G stations within the palace.