Younger visitors can use an augmented reality app to explore the Invisible Superheroes exhibition at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in London this Easter.

Through their phones visitors to the Infrastructure Learning Hub at One Great George Street will be able to see tunnel boring machines crash through walls and 3D Bridges appear out of the ground before their eyes.

The free exhibition features real-life engineers as cartoon superheroes who are battling to save the planet from dangers such as climate change, flooding, and the spread of disease. 

The app brings to life the 3D digitally-created Isambard Kingdom Brunel character – the renowned Victorian engineer behind the Great Western Railway and Clifton Suspension Bridge – who will guide visitors through ICE's Grade 1 listed headquarters in London.

The app also unlocks hidden features inside the exhibition space, turning physical paintings into video displays and making windows dance with virtual objects.

As they explore the building and the exhibition, visitors will learn more about ICE and its history and discover additional engineering stories alongside the physical exhibition content.

Nathan Baker, Director of Engineering Knowledge at the ICE, said: “We're always keen to recognise and embrace new technology to help the public better understand how civil engineering directly transforms lives and safeguards the future.

“The exhibition space at ICE already features a host of interactive opportunities for visitors, including virtual reality, touch screen gamification, Lego challenge kits and a huge range of video content to explore.

“The new augmented reality app adds a new dimension to the exhibition, enabling spaces and objects to come to life and reveal hidden adventures to visitors,” he added. 

The ICE Augmented Reality App (ICE AR) can be downloaded and used on any IOS or Android Handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet. It is available now on Apple Store and Google Play.

• The Invisible Superheroes exhibition is free to attend and open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, throughout the Easter holidays at the Infrastructure Learning Hub at One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA.

Issued by Flamingo Marketing. For more information please contact: Drew Cunliffe on drew@flamingo-marketing.co.uk or Jaimie Poyner on 01637 873379 or jaimie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

About the Invisible Superheroes Exhibition

Supported by Tideway, Invisible Superheroes is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, at the Infrastructure Learning Hub at One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA. Admission is free. The exhibition will run until January 2019.

About ICE 200

The Institution of Civil Engineers is reaching a rare milestone in 2018 – a bicentenary.

ICE 200 is a perfect chance to celebrate the institution's longevity, recognise the profession of civil engineering and most importantly the thousands of members who make the institution what it is.  ICE will use the bicentenary as opportunity to remind the general public that civil engineers transform their lives for the better and safeguard the future for their families. In doing so, the institution also hopes to encourage young people to see civil engineering as a creative, rewarding and highly enjoyable career.

Events are planned for throughout 2018 and information will be made available on the ICE website.

About the Infrastructure Learning Hub

The creation of the Infrastructure Learning Hub has been supported by 11 Founding Partners: AECOM, Atkins, Carillion, Costain, John Laing, Kier, Mace Foundation, Mott MacDonald, VINCI Construction UK Ltd, WSP and Ramboll.

In February 2018, the Infrastructure Learning Hub was recognised as a Hidden Gem visitor attraction by VisitEngland.