# Design and Evaluation of a Web- and Mobile-Based Binaural Audio Platform for Cultural Heritage
## 6 Conclusions and Future Work  
This paper presents the design, development and evaluation of a series of web and mobile applications--the _PlugSonic Suite_--for the curation and experience of 3D interactive soundscapes and audio narratives. These apps can be used to edit sound files and to create, test and experience soundscapes in a low friction environment that allows to transition from a web browser to a physical space navigation when desired. The umbrella project (PLUGGY) includes the development of a social platform and several apps (AR, 3D Audio, Geolocation and Gamification) to provide users with the necessary tools to shape cultural heritage; both as curators and visitors of virtual or augmented exhibitions. In Section 2, we defined sonic narratives and soundscapes, and introduced the binaural spatialisation technique and modern web-based technologies. We also described the state-of-the-art for sonic narratives, with special attention to cultural heritage applications. Even if research in these fields have produced significant advances, no specific tools have been developed to democratise spatial audio technologies and encourage the general public to adopt them to impact tangible and intangible heritage fruition and dissemination. PlugSonic aims to demonstrate that spatial audio technologies and software can be designed to be accessible to anyone, without having to compromise on the binaural rendering quality or the flexibility of interactions available to the content creator, whether institutions or general public. After introducing the technology used for the development, we described the features and functionalities included in the apps--which were, partially, the result of a previous work with experts in the fields of cultural heritage and/or audio [45]. To understand whether our aims were achieved, we conducted an evaluation with subjects without previous experience and knowledge about 3D audio or soundscape design. The evaluation included three parts: creation, curation and experience of soundscapeswith the PlugSonic Soundscape Create Web and PlugSonic Soundscape Experience Mobile applications. Participants were able to learn to use the apps quickly and effectively. They judged the task of creating a soundscape fairly simple and appreciated the level of interactivity and the possibility to test the results during the creation. Good results were obtained also for the task of curating a virtual soundscape starting from a real one, which shows how PlugSonic can indeed be effectively utilised to convey the atmosphere of a \"real-world\" situation. Limitations were highlighted when adding and setting up new sound sources and tagging exhibitions. A critical aspect observed in the evaluation was the resistance of users to become content creators. Further efforts seem necessary from research communities and institutions to empower citizens and allow them a more active participation in the act of sharing and protecting cultural heritage. The Experience Mobile app, exploiting the Apple ARkit [43] for the localisation of the user within a soundscape in a physical space, showed the potential of augmented exhibitions in increasing emotional resonance and connectedness with cultural heritage. The feedback received during evaluation was used to improve user interface and user experience, but further work is necessary to simplify and speed up the soundscape creation process. The apps could also be improved by introducing moving sound sources, for an even more dynamic experience, and radiation patterns, for a more realistic simulation of sounds' directivity or to emulate occlusion effects. The Soundscape Create app already allows to choose the shape of the virtual environment, limited to rectangular and round spaces, and to use an image as floor-plan or background of a soundscape. Further improvements would include custom room shapes and the options to set movement constraints. Furthermore, we think that PlugSonic has the potential to become also a web- and mobile-based 3D audio research evaluation tool.