Pytheas
Pytheas is Parallel 42's open source software for guided tours.
A React.js application designed to be simply built and economical to host.
Pytheas has the following features:
Data-driven guided tours
User location tracking
Routing between markers
POI details including text, video, and images
Multiple tours
Bounded activation - the tour is only available to users in the tour area
Content experience for users outside the tour area
There are currently three implementations of Pytheas by Parallel 42.
With funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, the McDougall Corridor tour was a collaboration between the University of Windsor Center for Cities, the Essex County Back Historical Research Society, Parallel 42 Systems, the University of Windsor Leddy Library, and the School of Creative Arts at the University of Windsor.
Our funders generously agreed to our request to commit the McDougall Corridor code to the commons through the General Public License. With this open source code, we were able to publish the Pytheas source code.
In 2023, Parallel 42 collaborated with the Windsor Essex Rainbow Association to implement Queer Walk, a guided tour of LBGTQA+ history in Windsor and Essex County.
In 2024, Parallel 42 researched and implemented Motor City Murals, a guided tour of street art in Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
Anyone is free to make new applications with Pytheas code, with the condition that any changes to the code must be made available to the public. Parallel 42 can offer services around Pytheas ranging from advice for a successful Pytheas implementation to a turn-key guided tour solution.