The document discusses a proof of concept project using iBeacons at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst. iBeacons are small Bluetooth transmitters that can trigger messages on nearby smartphones. The project involved setting up 3 iBeacons in different locations, including the Princess of Wales Conservatory and Orangery. 5 test apps were created to demonstrate detecting iBeacons, receiving proximity-based messages, and getting plant information. The tests suggested iBeacons could provide educational content and offers to visitors.

1. IBeacons
Product Management proof of
concept work

2. IBeacons
IBeacons are a low-cost piece of hardware
($99 for three), small enough to attach to a
wall or countertop. They use battery-friendly,
low-energy Bluetooth connections to
transmit messages or prompts directly to a
smartphone or tablet.
The system relies on Bluetooth Low Energy
devices (also know as BLE, Bluetooth 4.0 or
Bluetooth Smart) for calculating micro
location data employing little 2.4Mhz
transmitters at key locations around a
building. Your smartphone or other device
automatically picks up the signal from these
iBeacons and can calculate relative position
or trigger contextual actions like messages
or special offers.
They are poised to transform how retailers,
event organisers, wayfaring systems,
enterprises, museum and educational
institutions communicate with people.

3. IBeacons the numbers
• Presently 170-190m iOS devices are currently
capable of being iBeacons themselves, or can
receive messages from a Beacon. A further 51m
iPhones and 26m iPads sold in the first three months
of 2014 can do the same.
• It’s important to remember here that it’s not just new
iOS (Apple) devices that implement this technology.
The majority of new devices entering the market,
including the Nokia Lumias, Samsung Galaxy Nexus
and the BlackBerry Z10 and Q10, among others, are
all BLE compatible.
This accounts for a further 250 million devices.

4. IBeacons requirements
1. User needs your app
2. User must have app-on (does not need to be “open”)
3. User needs Bluetooth BLE enabled device
4. User needs Bluetooth on
5. User must allow you to push messages

5. Proof of
Concept workat
Kew and
Wakehurst
Over the last month I have
worked with an outside consultant on a
13 day project. Five days have been
spent setting up the technology and
testing it in different Kew locations.
Three beacons have been
programmed so that they can detect an
app, locate it and then push specific
messages to the phone or tablet
related to the surroundings.
Where: Princess of Wales
Conservatory, The Orangery and The
Orange room at Wakehurst.

6. Kew: Princess of Wales
Conservatory & Orangery
• Worked with Graham Wotherspoon to collect specific, relevant content for Princess Of
Wales Conservatory proof of concept
• Spoke with Content and Media, Engagement team, Paul Smith at the MSB to make them
aware of the project plus other colleagues at Kew and Wakehurst
• Produced five lightweight testing apps:
• Kew iB1 App (detecting nearest iBeacon)
• Kew iB2 App (entering/exiting iBeacon 1)
• Kew iB3 App (proximity moving from iBeacon to iBeacon)
• Kew iB4 App (Princess of Wales Conservatory - 3 plants)
• Kew iB5 App (Orangery Restaurant)
• (Insert two images here of iBeacon messages from phone)
What we did and what we developed

7. Kew iB1 App (detecting nearest iBeacon)

8. Kew iB2 App (entering/exiting iBeacon 1)

9. Kew iB3 App (proximity moving from iBeacon to iBeacon)
Whereas the previous app (Kew iB2) can detect when
someone has entered or left the range of a specific
iBeacon - this app can detect a new iBeacon and more
importantly its proximity.

10. Tested in the Princess of Wales
Conservatory
• This app detects a new iBeacon and its proximity and displays
content associated with that beacon automatically.
• We were able to send a time lapse video, images and specific
content about the Cocoa plant, the Titan Arun and Darwin plants
information.
Kew iB4 App (Princess of Wales Conservatory - 3 plants)

11. Findings: The Orangery
Upon entering the range of the beacon it
displays a message asking if the person would
like to view a free copy of the Kew magazine.
If the user chooses ‘launch’ the app displays the
Magazine (a dummy screen image in this PoC).
Kew iB5 App (Orangery Restaurant)

12. Findings: The Orangery
Upon exiting the rage of the beacon it displays
an option to subscribe to the magazine.
If the user chooses ‘launch’ the app links to the
Kew membership web site (a dummy
screen image in this PoC)