Opening Abergavenny to everyone: digital twin brings immersive technology and accessibility together

ANI Group combines Matterport technology with AVA Access to help people explore Abergavenny with greater confidence and independence.

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Abergavenny is being brought to life online through an ambitious digital twin project that puts accessibility at the heart of how people discover and experience the town.

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Developed by locally based ANI Group, the Abergavenny Digital Twin brings together Matterport’s immersive 3D technology and the accessible layer provided by AVA Access. Available through Abergavenny Online, the project enables people to explore captured streets, discover local businesses and familiarise themselves with places before visiting in person.

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The purpose is simple: to give more people the information and confidence to decide where they want to go and what they want to experience.

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For someone with a sight condition, a disabled visitor planning a day out, or an autistic person who benefits from becoming familiar with an unfamiliar environment, that opportunity can make a meaningful difference.

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Matterport provides the immersive visual environment, while AVA Access adds alternative ways to explore and understand it. The accessible layer is designed to support compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, known as WCAG, and provide a comparable experience for people who access digital content in different ways.

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Features include colour contrast options, AI-generated image and space descriptions, and navigation assistance within the digital experience. The aim is to make the tour’s information and points of interest available to a wider audience, alongside the visual exploration of the town.

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Leighton Morris, founder of ANI Group and the driving force behind the project, said:

“Being able to see a destination online is valuable, but we also need to consider the person who cannot access that experience in the same way as someone else.

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“By bringing Matterport and AVA Access together, we are working to give more people the opportunity to explore Abergavenny, understand their surroundings and feel more confident about visiting. Accessibility needs to be part of the experience from the beginning.”

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The project connects the town’s streets with a growing portfolio of immersive local destinations, including Abergavenny Town Hall and Market, Kings Arms Hotel, Revue Men’s Clothing, Angel Bakery, The Vaults and Gwagle.

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This connected approach encourages people to look beyond a single destination, discover neighbouring businesses and experience more of what Abergavenny has to offer. It also creates opportunities to explore the town’s rich heritage through destinations such as Abergavenny Castle & Museum, linking its stories with the wider town experience, alongside community services and visitor information.

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For Leighton, the long-term ambition is a town where businesses and community venues collectively help people make informed choices about their visit.

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“A digital twin can help someone answer the questions that matter to them before they leave home,” he added. “It can give them time to explore at their own pace, reduce uncertainty and help them decide whether a place meets their needs.

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“Accessibility isn’t a box we tick, it’s a person we consider. That belief sits at the heart of this project and our ambition to open doors for everyone.”

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Local businesses, community organisations and venues interested in joining the project, or contributing information about their accessibility and facilities, are encouraged to contact ANI Group through Abergavenny Online.

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Explore the project at www.abergavenny.online.