SurselvaXR – Geospatial Experience

LaPendeta: Bridging Realities

LaPendeta, the longest suspension bridge in Graubünden, Switzerland, opened in November 2024. To celebrate its inauguration, we created SurselvaXR, an augmented reality (AR) app designed to enhance the visitor experience. This interactive installation offered a playful diversion for attendees during wait times, blending the physical and digital worlds.

The Experience

As visitors explored the bridge, they encountered floating crystal objects—a nod to a well-known local motif—hovering dynamically above and below the structure. When tapped, these crystals would glide toward the user and recite a short, whimsical phrase in Romansh (one of Switzerland’s four national languages). The childlike voice and poetic messages centered on themes of connection, echoing the bridge’s symbolic role in uniting landscapes and communities.

Technology & Implementation

Using Google’s Geospatial Anchor technology, we seamlessly anchored 3D objects to real-world coordinates, ensuring precise placement across the expansive bridge environment. Unity’s robust development framework enabled rapid prototyping and integration, allowing us to deliver a stable, user-friendly AR experience even in challenging outdoor conditions.

The Vision
At its core, SurselvaXR reimagines how landmarks can foster connections—not just physically, but digitally. By linking the bridge to geospatial data and platforms like Google Maps, the project highlights the potential of AR to enrich cultural narratives and create shared memories. It’s a tribute to Graubünden’s heritage and innovation.