Augmented reality (AR) is one of the most appealing technologies that will deliver on the promise of changing today’s traditional museums into engaging interactive spaces that will appeal to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. AR technology accomplishes this by seamlessly combining the physical and digital parts of a museum. With AR, museum curators could revive public interest in art, history, and culture. I have been involved in improving the museum experience for over a decade, and I’m going to provide some examples of how AR can revolutionize museums to make them attractive to the typical visitor. These range from creating interactive exhibits to virtual time travel to a previous era. It is an adventure that is well worth engaging in.
Augmented reality is an interesting digital technology that allows people to impose or overlay images, animation, voice, text, and other elements on top of what they see around them. This technology is available on smartphones, tablets, and AR wearables such as AR goggles. AR does not remove a person from their surroundings but rather enriches their experience by providing additional information and experiences. All the user has to do is open an AR App and point it at a museum exhibit or relic, and his or her experience will begin. The app interacts with visitors in order to give the greatest experience a museum visitor may expect. This blog will take you on an incredible journey to grasp the breadth and range of experiences this technology provides.
AR allows for interactive exhibits while also bringing static exhibits to life. One of the AR-enabled devices that can swiftly scan an artwork or artifact and provide additional features and layers of intriguing information about it is the ubiquitous smartphone. This experience has been designed to be interactive and engaging. An art museum visitor may launch an AR App on their smartphone, point it at a Ravi Varma painting, and the app would provide biographical information about the artist, how the artwork was created, and many other fascinating aspects. This information can be delivered in the form of text, audio, or a combination of both in animation. You may also bring in an art expert to give more information in a more interactive way. This type of participation enhances the visitor’s knowledge of the museum’s exhibits. They remember the artifact long after they’ve seen it according to their AR museum experience.
Now let’s have a look at Virtual Time Travel. The AR apps would transport a visitor back in time and give them the experience that people had during the period. You may use AR glasses to watch a historical event that you wish you could have been a part of, such as a famous leader’s speech or an event that was a turning point in history. These events come alive in front of your eyes, allowing you to relive a moment in time. Reconstructing ancient structures and cities is a step further. What was the appearance of Mamallapuram and its seven shore temples? Except for one, many believe they have been submerged by the sea. The reconstruction of such historical scenarios recreates the grandeur and magnificence of previous times and encourages the next generation to take pride in their history and culture.
Augmented reality will also make it possible to adapt 2D artworks into interesting 3D exhibits. This is experienced with AR glasses, which allow visitors to examine and appreciate the artwork in greater depth. This 3D exploration function allows you to view a sculpture and its finer details from all sides and angles. This feature’s proximity is especially useful for art students, teachers, and researchers.
Museums, as we all know, are all about exploration. Consider making the experience gamified. Yes, this is what makes it exciting for people of all ages, especially children. They enjoy a good challenge and are open to new experiences. Scavenger hunts in museum apps can make the learning trip more engaging by requiring visitors to uncover clues and identify important artifacts to be rewarded when they complete the challenge. The awards can be used at the museum and shared with other entities.
In museums, augmented reality experiences enable children to get up close and personal with nature, appreciating its beauty and grandeur. Museums have developed AR experience centers where children can enter an area that appears to be a jungle and scan the surroundings with a smartphone or tablet to observe animals and birds that live there naturally. To maximize the interactive experience, the experience can be animated and gamified. This interaction is unforgettable for the majority of visitors, and the learning experience for the kids is almost permanent. They also gain a better understanding and appreciation for the environment, as well as the significance of sustainability in today’s world.
AR is an excellent technology that is flattening the world’s technological and economic landscape. It helps to remove barriers to communication that may arise at a museum that uses a language that the speaker is unfamiliar with. AR applications can be designed to cater to different languages and display information in the visitor’s language. This is especially important in a country like India, where numerous languages are spoken, and allows visitors from all states, and also from all over the world, to explore the museum. AR allows better accessibility and inclusiveness for a more global visitor experience.
AR allows museum visitors to choose the length and depth of their experience. Experts can enjoy an in-depth study, while beginners can opt for simplified explanations. This allows visitors to select their level of involvement in interactive museums. Visitors can also connect with social media via the AR app, allowing them to share their experiences with their friends and communities. Selfies with exhibitions and artifacts are possible, and certificates, and badges, can be easily shared and saved in their social media history.
The most exciting and promising part of augmented reality is that it can be accessed on affordable devices such as smartphones. The device has become a need, providing many communities throughout the world with access to experiences that were previously unavailable. Many communities are becoming empowered by this technology to take charge of their own learning and experiences. This empowerment is essential in transforming societies and assisting them in achieving a brighter future.
Fusion VR is a pioneer in integrating augmented reality and virtual reality into both present and future museums in India. The Amma Museum and Knowledge Park in Chennai is an excellent example of how AR has been used. This museum depicts the life and times of Dr. J. Jayalalithaa, the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. We received a lot of positive feedback from the press and the general people, which is a testament to the Museum 2.0 skill set that Fusion VR brings. I invite you to visit our Museums and Corporate Experience Centers webpage to learn more about our initiatives and the contributions we have made to the Museum 2.0 journey.
Finally, augmented reality can completely revolutionize and rethink the traditional museum experience. The use of AR and other technology in museums is a very revolutionary endeavor. We are making museums more interesting and accessible to different audiences by transforming them into AR experience centers. One thing is sure: AR will ensure museums’ continuous relevance and attractiveness in an ever-changing world.
