Ipswich Borough Council is rolling out a digital binocular scheme to celebrate local heritage sites.
The digital project is the latest development in the council’s ‘Digital Ipswich programme’, backed by £2.3m Government funding to support the installation of six ‘custom-built’, ‘state-of-the-art’ binocular units across the community.
Through the use of AI-enabled virtual reality technology, the binocular units will provide a ‘glimpse into the town’s late Victorian past’, offering an immersive view of historical settings in the Borough.
From Summer 2025, the units will be stationed on 6 different streets in Ipswich, each of which are considered ‘key heritage locations’, and the attraction is free to use for both visitors and locals.
In a statement this week, the council confirmed the units are fit-for-purpose with two different eyepiece heights, ensuring the project is accessible to wheelchair users and children.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: ‘Whether you’re nine or ninety, tech-savvy or not, this experience is for you.
‘We’re proud that Ipswich will be the first town in the country to freely offer this inclusive, dynamic attraction - and it’s just the beginning of our commitment to innovation that benefits everyone.’
