Once Pathways are set up in the Console, they unlock step-by-step directions for your visitors in the Empower PWA. These directions help guests move confidently through your museum by guiding them from one Space, Object, or Point of Interest (POI) to another using your institution’s actual layout.
This article explains how the Pathways feature appears in the PWA, how visitors choose a starting point, and what their experience looks like once a route is generated.
Where Visitors Can Get Directions
Visitors can access the Get Directions button from two main areas in the PWA:
From the landing map – by tapping a Space, Object, or POI directly
From a detail screen – within the Location section of a Space, Object, or Enriched POI screen
Tapping Get Directions will prompt the visitor to choose their starting point.
Choosing a Starting Point
After selecting a destination, visitors are asked “What’s Nearby?” to help the system understand where they are currently located.
They can choose their starting point in three ways:
Scan a QR code or tap an NFC tag
If your museum uses Pladia-generated QR codes or NFC tags on-site, visitors can scan or tap one that’s tied to a Space, Object, or POI nearby.
Search for a nearby location
Visitors can use the search bar to look up a Space or Object that’s close to them. This is helpful if they know where they are but can’t (or prefer not to) scan.
Select from "My Visit"
If visitors have added Spaces or Objects to their My Visit list, those appear as suggested starting points they can tap to begin routing.
Tip: Any Space, Object, or POI a visitor gets directions to is automatically added to their My Visit list—so their suggestions grow naturally as they move through the museum.
Generating the Route
Once the starting point is selected, Empower uses the Pathways drawn in the Console and a custom routing algorithm to generate the most efficient route between the two locations. This route may cross multiple levels if needed, depending on your setup.
What Visitors See in Their Directions
The route is broken into clear, simple steps that reflect your museum’s actual layout. Some common types of instructions include:
“Follow path” – prompts the visitor to walk along a hallway or connector
“Use the stairs/elevator - Go up to Level 2” – navigates between floors
“Enter space [Space name]” – guides into a gallery or room
“Leave space [Space name]” – confirms leaving a gallery or room
If your team has placed Objects within 5 meters of a Space entrance, these will appear in the directions as “Pass by…” notes. These pass-by Objects are not currently interactive, but they give visitors context and highlight nearby works they may want to stop and explore.
A Note on Routing Accuracy
The quality of the visitor experience depends on the accuracy and completeness of the Navtrack created in the Console. For best results:
Make sure each level is fully mapped and connected in the Navtrack
Place nodes at room entrances and exits
Add level transitions where needed (stairs, elevators, etc.)
Mark the Navtrack, Maps, Objects, Spaces, and POIs as On Display and Published
If the system can’t find a complete path between two points, directions won’t appear.
For questions about configuring Pathways or optimizing the visitor experience, reach out to the Pladia Customer Success team—we’re happy to help.