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"In The Eyes Of" Discovering the region through new digital experiences

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A research project exploring how digital technologies can enrich the discovery and interpretation of cultural and natural heritage.

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  • In The Eyes Of is a research project coordinated by Lugano Living Lab – City of Lugano, the UNESCO Chair at USI, ETH Zurich and Virginia Tech, and it is dedicated to exploring cultural and natural heritage through innovative digital technologies. Starting in the Carona area, the project experiments with new digital tools to help residents and visitors discover local places, landscapes, points of interest, and stories, encouraging observation, orientation, and engagement during their visit. The initiative aims to understand how local knowledge, perspectives, and experiences can enhance cultural and natural heritage, creating richer, more accessible, engaging, and meaningful visitor experiences for both residents and tourists.‍
  • The project's first trial takes place in Carona, between the historic village and the surrounding woods. Based on the knowledge gathered during the research, a prototype digital experience, accessible via smartphone, has been developed. It guides participants along an exploration path of the area, offering contextual content and information about the local cultural and natural heritage. This trial will allow us to evaluate the system's functionality and understand how citizens and visitors interact with this new way of discovering and interpreting the area.
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Why "In The Eyes Of"?

  • Every place can be observed from different perspectives. A naturalist, a historian, or someone who experiences a territory daily develops over time a unique capacity to interpret the landscape, recognize significant elements, and understand aspects of the cultural and natural heritage that often go unnoticed by first-time visitors.
  • To better understand how these perspectives are formed, the project involves local experts who document their experiences through innovative digital tools. The collected knowledge is then used to design new ways of exploring, discovering, and interpreting places.
  • The goal is not to replace the experience of a guide, but to study how digital technologies can support independent exploration of the area and foster greater attention and awareness towards the landscape and local heritage.

What are we testing?

  • We are testing a digital tool designed to support the exploration of the territory. The objective is to determine whether the experience is easy to use, clear, useful during the visit, and engaging for participants.
  • We are not evaluating the knowledge of the people involved, nor are we comparing the digital experience with a traditional guided tour.
  • The trial will allow us to gather feedback on the system's usability and the perceived value of this new tool for discovering and interpreting the territory.

Join the experiment

  • Join the research and test the digital journey
    • We are looking for 20 volunteers to test a new digital journey dedicated to exploring the Carona area.
    • During the activity, a smartphone will be provided to follow a guided itinerary between the historic village and the surrounding woods. At the end of the journey, participants will be invited to share their impressions and suggestions about the experience.
    • Participation is open to both those familiar with Carona and first-time visitors.
    • Test date: June 16, 2026 (in the morning at 9:40 or at 11:40)
      Alternative date in case of bad weather: June 22, 2026
      Duration of the test: approximately 1 hour
      Meeting point: Carona center (details will be communicated to selected participants)
      Compensation: 50 CHF in LVGA
  • Registration
    • Registration is open until June 10, 2026, or until the maximum number of participants is reached.
    • Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Fill out the registration form
  • Presentation of results
    • The results of the trial will be presented and discussed during a public meeting scheduled for autumn 2026, organized in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair at USI, ETH and Virginia Tech.
    • The event will be an opportunity to share the results of the research project, explore the role of digital technologies in enhancing the local area, and gather input from citizens, professionals, and partners involved in the initiative.
    • More information about the event will be published on this page in the coming months.

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