TARAR: An Intelligent Tour Guide Avatar for Mobile Real-Time Augmented Reality in Heritage Sites

TARAR, an intelligent mobile augmented reality (AR) tour guide system featuring a 3D avatar, successfully integrates markerless localization, path-based navigation, and natural voice interaction to deliver immersive, real-time heritage site experiences. Field-tested at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, TARAR demonstrated its effectiveness by combining motion synthesis, lip-syncing, and context-aware animations to emulate human-led tour behavior. This breakthrough addresses the longstanding challenge of merging complex spatial guidance with conversational interfaces in dynamic heritage environments, offering a user-centered AR solution that enhances engagement and educational value for visitors.

Manawadu, M., Weerasooriya, C., Chathuranga, G., Wijesinghe, M., Wijayarathne, S., Perera, P., Rhee, T., & Wijenayake, U. (2025). TARAR: An Intelligent Tour Guide Avatar for Mobile Real-Time Augmented Reality in Heritage Sites. 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct (ISMAR-Adjunct), 25–29. https://doi.org/10.1109/ismar-adjunct68609.2025.00012