Ride the waves

Global – Architecture of Radio is an augmented reality app that visualises the invisible wifi, satellite and radio signals that make up our connected landscape.

• The augmented reality app enables users to move through visual representations of data
• The dataset includes almost 7m cell towers, 19m wifi routers and hundreds of satellites

Information designer Richard Vijgen developed the app to enable a deeper understanding of the networks people use every day. Through an immersive visual experience, Architecture of Radio aims to make technology feel transparent and tangible.

The app uses GPS data to find the user’s location and accesses a free worldwide database of Cell IDs and their corresponding location area identity to discover local cell towers. It also accesses NASA’s astronomy database to track any satellites flying by. Users move their iOS device to explore the secretive world of information in real time.

Vijgen’s groundbreaking research has been recognised by a number of professional organisations including Rhizome, the European Design Awards and the Dutch Design Awards. An Android version of the app will be released in early 2016.