SMART SCREEN SOLUTIONS FOR THE HAMBURG PLANETARIUM – DIGITALLY AUTOMATED FROM NASA DATA TO TICKET AVAILABILITY
In 2017, extensive renovations were completed at the Hamburg Planetarium based in the Hamburg’s central park. As part of this project, the planetarium digitised its visitor communications. Since the initial installation of a digital signage system, with 27 screens, the entire system has been continuously developed and improved.
The hardware installation now comprises more than 40 screens, including three outdoor totems, several interactive screens and e-ink screens. The content is very diverse including a live interface to the Eventim ticket sales platform which shows ticket availability in real time. Another feed to the US space agency NASA provides information about the current positions of the planets and the moon.
An intelligent template enables planetarium staff to quickly and easily promote a wide variety of events. The template responds to input, such as whether the event has not yet premiered. After the premiere, the template automatically switches to promoting the show as a current event.
Other highlights include an interactive room booking tool for scheduling the Pluto SpaceLab space, a wayfinding system that helps visitors find their way around, and access control to the viewing platform, which employees at the ticket office can open or close with a single click via a simple web app if necessary, for example in case of inclement weather. Scheduled, time-controlled opening and closing is also possible.
The customised digital signage system is now an integral part of everyday operations at the Hamburg Planetarium.
