The guide in control: the future of guided tours

As a cultural institution, you want to offer an unforgettable experience, with the guide in the leading role. The Orpheo Hybe makes that possible with its Tour Guide Mode: the guide speaks live and at the same time decides which videos and images visitors see on their own device, without them having to do anything. In this article you can read how this guide in control enriches the visitor experience and sets your organisation apart.

What makes the guide in control unique?

With the Hybe LIVE version, the guide speaks through a push-to-talk microphone. The audio goes to the group via DECT radio technology, while the guide starts multimedia on the visitors' devices. The range is up to 300 metres in the open air, without interference from Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In a museum or on a city walk, the guide sets the pace and the content, and the visitors automatically see the matching videos, images or sound clips.

The Hybe comes in two versions: with a 4.3-inch touchscreen or with a keypad and a 3.2-inch screen. Both are IP64 water-resistant, last 20 hours on a single charge and recharge in under three hours. Please note: only the touchscreen version is suitable for the guide in control.

Why choose a guide in control?

The added value lies in combining personal contact with digital precision. One guide can lead large groups, which gives you scalability in busy periods. Because the content starts automatically at the right moment, visitors stay engaged: they do not have to search for anything and can focus fully on the story.

For the organisation, it means one system for both live audio and multimedia, so no extra equipment. With the cloud tool Orpheo EMM you manage everything remotely, from content updates to screen brightness. Smart charging stations and NFC also collect usage data that you can use to improve tours and marketing.

Examples from practice

Picture a guide in a history museum. While talking about an object, they start a video with a historical reconstruction on all devices. Visitors see the live story and the images come together. With the push-to-talk function, they can also ask a question straight away.

The guide in control also comes into their own on a city walk. Thanks to its rugged design, the Hybe can withstand changeable weather. The guide might, for example, show a 3D reconstruction of a vanished building while explaining live what once stood there. Even with several guides in one group, everything stays in sync.

Accessible and inclusive

The Hybe supports videos with sign language and has two headphone sockets for shared use. A vibration function gives feedback, even in a noisy environment. That makes the technology suitable for a broad audience, from hard-of-hearing visitors to international guests.

The future of guided tours

With the Orpheo Hybe, the guide becomes the conductor of the experience, combining live interaction with digital finesse. Would you like to find out what that means for your tours? Request a demonstration from GuideXpresse. Also read how the Hybe enables two-way communication between guide and group.