How ACM’s Digital Dog Solo is Revolutionising the Museum Experience

What happens when history meets technology? At the Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM) in Singapore, a friendly digital dog named Solo is leading a new wave of engagement that’s redefining how visitors interact with museum exhibits. The “Adventures with Solo” digital trail, introduced during the 2023 special exhibition “Manila Galleon: From Asia to the Americas,” combines gamification with cultural education to create a uniquely immersive visitor experience.

A New Digital Adventure at ACM

The Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore’s national museum of Asian antiquities and decorative art, is renowned for its commitment to highlighting the cross-cultural heritage of Singapore and the broader Asian region. The museum’s latest innovation, “Adventures with Solo,” is a gamified digital activity trail that was developed to complement the “Manila Galleon” exhibition, which showcased over 140 works of art from the 16th to the 20th century. This exhibition explored the historic trade routes that connected Asia, the Americas, and Europe, and ACM sought to make this complex history accessible and engaging through interactive digital content.

Solo, the digital trail’s mascot, is based on the Xoloitzcuintli, a Mexican hairless dog revered in Aztec legend as a companion and protector. This choice was inspired by ACM’s collaboration with the Mexican Embassy in Singapore, which included creating vibrant paper mache Xolo dog sculptures for the exhibition. Visitors could start their digital adventure by scanning a QR code placed next to a sculpture in the museum lobby. From there, they were introduced to Solo and guided through the exhibition spaces, hunting for QR codes that unlocked various minigames tied to the exhibition’s artifacts.

Learning Through Play: The Power of Gamification

“Adventures with Solo” wasn’t just about fun—it was about fostering a deeper connection with history. Each QR code led visitors to a brief introduction to an artefact, followed by a minigame that encouraged them to engage more closely with the exhibit. For example, a spot-the-difference game featuring Spanish silver coins used in Manila prompted visitors to examine the displayed coins carefully, noting intricate details they might otherwise overlook. Other games included memory challenges, puzzles, and color-by-number tasks, ensuring there was something for everyone, from young children to adults.

ACM cleverly incentivized participation by offering tiered rewards based on the number of minigames completed. Collecting four coins earned a bronze achievement, seven coins a silver, and ten coins a gold, with prizes ranging from exhibition-themed pins and keychains to DIY paper boat crafts that could be assembled into mini galleons. This tiered system proved effective; over 70% of participants reached the gold level, demonstrating high engagement and enthusiasm for the digital trail.

Behind the Scenes: Overcoming Challenges in Digital Innovation

Developing “Adventures with Solo” presented several challenges, from coordinating with multiple teams to navigating stringent security protocols required for digital content in a government institution. ACM’s digital, curatorial, and exhibitions teams worked closely together, developing content in stages and ensuring that the digital trail was ready ahead of the exhibition’s opening.

“Creating a digital trail ahead of finalized exhibition content was a significant challenge,” said one of the project leads. “We had to be flexible and work in tandem with the curatorial team to select appropriate artifacts and map out where each of the 10 QR codes would be placed.”

ACM also opted for a browser-based experience rather than a standalone app, allowing visitors to use their own devices without needing to download anything. This approach made the game easily accessible and reduced the logistical burden on museum staff, who would otherwise need to manage and distribute physical devices. By using familiar QR codes instead of more complex augmented reality markers, ACM ensured that the trail was user-friendly for all visitors, regardless of their tech-savviness or device capabilities.

Visitor Experiences and Feedback

The response to “Adventures with Solo” was overwhelmingly positive, with visitors praising the trail for making the exhibition more interactive and engaging. One visitor noted, “The games were fun and really made me look at the artifacts more closely. It’s a great way to learn!” Another family shared that their children were excited to follow Solo around the exhibition, and that the digital trail added an element of adventure to their museum visit.

ACM gathered extensive feedback from participants, which provided valuable insights into what worked and where there was room for improvement. Many visitors expressed appreciation for the balance struck between play and education, with the games designed to enhance rather than distract from the exhibition content. The tiered reward system was also a hit, encouraging users to complete more stages of the game.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Digital Engagement at ACM

The success of “Adventures with Solo” has encouraged ACM to continue exploring digital innovations that can enhance the visitor experience. By leveraging technology, ACM demonstrated how gamification and interactive content can make history more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for diverse audiences.

“This project has shown us the potential of digital interventions in a museum setting,” said another team member. “We’re excited to explore more ways to integrate technology into our exhibitions, ensuring that our museum remains a vibrant and relevant space for learning and discovery.”

As ACM looks to the future, it remains committed to using innovative approaches to connect audiences with the rich cultural heritage of Asia. Whether through digital trails, interactive exhibits, or other technological advancements, ACM is setting the standard for how museums can blend traditional storytelling with modern engagement strategies.

For those visiting Singapore, ACM offers a chance to experience these cutting-edge approaches firsthand. The museum continues to be a place where the past and present collide in unexpected and delightful ways, inviting all to join in the adventure—whether through the eyes of Solo or the countless other stories waiting to be discovered.

Malvika Agarwal, Priscilla Lee and Deborah Lim from the Asian Civilisations Museum spoke about their adventures with solo at the Museums, Games & Play Summit 2024.