the project X-PAND
Technological Innovation for the Enhancement of Cultural Heritage
In recent years, the integration of space technologies and digital services has opened up new opportunities for the enhancement of cultural heritage. In this context, the ROMA X-PAND project—funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI)—aims to develop innovative solutions for the use and preservation of cultural assets.
The project stems from the collaboration between industrial and scientific organizations, including NAIS and Gter, and seeks to bring advanced services to the field by combining high-precision positioning, Earth Observation, and immersive technologies. The pilot case is the city of Rome, an emblematic context where urban complexity meets a uniquely valuable historical heritage.
A new way to experience cultural heritage
ROMA X-PAND introduces an innovative approach to cultural heritage, moving beyond traditional models based on static and localized content. The goal is to offer a distributed experience across the territory, where the visitor becomes an active participant in the discovery process.
Through a dedicated mobile application, users can access geolocated informational and multimedia content, activated based on their position. In particular, thanks to Mixed Reality technologies, it is possible to visualize three-dimensional models of archaeological artifacts directly in their original context.
This approach creates a true “bridge” between past and present: artifacts currently preserved in museums are virtually relocated to their places of origin, allowing visitors to imagine the original appearance of archaeological sites.
Space technologies serving culture
At the core of the project is an advanced integration of space technologies, including:
– high-precision GNSS positioning
– the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS)
– Earth Observation data for territorial monitoring
These tools enable services that require high spatial accuracy, which is essential to ensure consistency between the real world and digital content.
In the specific case of Mixed Reality applications, precise positioning allows virtual objects to be correctly placed in space, making the experience immersive and credible for users.
From use to participation: the role of citizens
One of the distinguishing elements of ROMA X-PAND is the active involvement of users, who are no longer just consumers but become true “citizen scientists.”
Through the mobile app, visitors can contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage by sharing georeferenced content such as photos and observations. This information can be used by managing authorities to enrich monitoring and documentation activities.
This approach introduces a new participatory dimension, where technology becomes a tool to strengthen the connection between citizens, territory, and institutions.
An integrated platform for data management and analysis
Alongside the mobile application, the project includes the development of a web-based platform built on web mapping technologies, enabling the integration and visualization of data from multiple sources.
These include:
- data derived from social networks
- user-generated content
- institutional information
This platform serves as a decision-support tool for public authorities, allowing integrated territorial analysis and improved cultural heritage management.
Challenges of the urban context
One of the most complex aspects addressed by the project concerns operations in historic urban environments, where satellite positioning conditions are particularly challenging.
So-called “urban canyon” conditions can significantly degrade GNSS signal quality, making it necessary to develop advanced solutions to ensure adequate performance.
In this context, Gter’s contribution focuses on the analysis and optimization of positioning techniques, with particular attention to smartphone-based solutions and integration with the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS).
Conclusion
ROMA X-PAND represents a concrete example of how space technologies can be transferred into innovative applications, with direct impacts on cultural experience, tourism, and territorial management.
The integration of satellite data, mobile devices, and digital platforms paves the way for new service models in which:
- cultural experiences are distributed and immersive
- citizens are active participants
- data becomes a strategic tool for heritage management
From this perspective, the project goes beyond the development of a technological solution, proposing a new vision of the relationship between culture, innovation, and urban space.
