Every place breathes a story, and Roods, the open-air museum app, brings these stories to life. The app reveals hidden locations, the history of artists, and the meaning of monuments. Roods offers extensive knowledge and facts, supported by audio descriptions, text, and multilingualism.

This innovation formed the common thread during Bevrijdingsfestival Utrecht. By placing historical stories via QR codes all over the grounds, the innovators influenced visitors’ behavior and experience. This research answered an important question: does Roods contribute to an inclusive and meaningful festival experience? In addition, live adjustments to the app during the festival served as a valuable functionality and stress test. By talking with the testers, Roods discovered what they thought of the app and whether it actually elevated their festival experience.

During the festival, the stories in the Roods app were scanned 210 times, with real-time adjustments that effectively guided visitor behavior. Children, in particular, visibly enjoyed the interactive route. Geolocation was activated by 68% of users and worked accurately. Audio proved difficult to use due to ambient noise. The test confirmed Roods’ potential as a tool to make events more meaningful, with the next step being expansion to other cities and countries.