# Life-Size Digital Tour Guides The Mei-Chan 3D Guide Helps Navigate With "Human" Interaction By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-05-10 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mei-chan-3d-guide References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2011/05/interactive-3d.php) & [itmedia.co.jp](http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1104/07/news088.html) Some people have no problem reading maps in unfamiliar cities, but for those who get more out of a conversation and pointing fingers, the Mei-Chan 3D Guide is a brilliant idea. The Nagoya Institute of Technology produced this digital directory to help visitors [navigate the campus with ease](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-map). Wherever such a system is placed, a user can approach the double screen and be greeted by a [helpful virtual anime character](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avatai) who knows the neighborhood better than Google Maps. An outsider can effortlessly ask the avatar a question and be bestowed with [verbal directions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-compass), realistic hand gestures, comprehensive interactive maps, images and more. The Mei-Chan 3D Guide will give travelers the information they seek without hesitation and with all of the knowledge of a local. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Life-size Digital Tour Guides:** The Mei-Chan 3D Guide demonstrates the potential for life-size digital tour guides that provide interactive and personalized navigation assistance. - **Human Interaction:** The use of virtual anime characters in the Mei-Chan 3D Guide highlights the trend of incorporating human-like interaction in digital guide systems. - **Enhanced User Experience:** The Mei-Chan 3D Guide's comprehensive interactive features, including verbal directions and realistic hand gestures, showcases the trend of enhancing user experience in digital navigation tools. ### Where This Applies - **Tourism and Hospitality:** The tourism and hospitality industry can benefit from adopting life-size digital tour guides to enhance the visitor experience and provide personalized assistance. - **Technology and Software Development:** The development of innovative digital guide systems like the Mei-Chan 3D Guide presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the technology and software development industry. - **Education and Training:** The Mei-Chan 3D Guide's application in navigating the Nagoya Institute of Technology campus suggests potential use in the education and training industry for interactive campus tours and navigation assistance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Travel Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audio-guide-it.md) - [Voice-Based Guidance Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ai-guides.md) - [Virtual In-Car Tour Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tourguide.md) - [AI-Powered Retail Assistance Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lg-cloi-guidebot.md) - [AI-Powered Spatial Learning Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-companion.md) - [Robotic Visual Impairment Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-guidance-device.md) - [Audio Guide Tourism Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audio-guide.md) - [AI Travel Itineraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walksmart.md) - [AI Airport Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-aberdeen.md)