Interactive technologies are revolutionizing the museum experience by making it more immersive and engaging. Visitors can now use virtual reality (VR) headsets to transport themselves to different times and places, augmented reality (AR) to superimpose digital information on top of physical objects, and interactive installations to encourage visitors to interact with exhibits in new ways. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using interactive technologies, understand how it’s transforming the museum experience, and some examples of interactive technologies used in museum.
What are interactive technologies?
Interactive technologies allow users to interact with digital content more naturally and engagingly, using techniques such as touch, voice, and gestures as well VR, AR, and tactile solutions. These technologies are becoming more and more commonplace, from smartphone applications to video games. That’s why these technologies are becoming a standard in museums to engage visitors and make the experiences more immersive. Such technologies offer many benefits over traditional methods of interaction with digital content. For one, they allow for a more natural interaction that can be less confusing and frustrating for users. Additionally, interactive technologies can make the experience more immersive and engaging, which leads to a better overall experience for museum visitors. Touch screens are a common type of interactive technology prevalent in museums. They offer several benefits over traditional keyboard/mouse controls. Touch screens allow for more natural interaction with digital content by using gestures such as tapping or swiping. Additionally, touch screens provide a more immersive experience by making visitors interact with digital content in a three-dimensional way. Virtual reality (VR) headsets are another interactive technology becoming increasingly popular in museums. It offers an immersive experience that can transport visitors into the world of exhibits. Additionally, VR can be used to create simulations of historical events or provide an up-close look at objects that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible to view. Motion-sensing games are another type of interactive technology being used in museums more and more. It uses cameras and sensors to track the movement of players and translate it into gameplay. It creates active and engaging experiences for museum visitors, such as teaching how to dance almost forgotten folk dance in a gamified setting. Tactile-digital solutions are a way of connecting physical exhibits, tools, and devices with digital content. This match of physical objects and digital content is extraordinary, as rapid digitalization dictates people’s need for physical-tactile senses to be involved. That’s why our recent projects, such as an interactive statue, train control pit, or interactive motorcycle are so successful.
What are the benefits of using them?
Some benefits of using interactive technologies in museums include:
Increased Engagement and WOW effect Interactive technologies help to increase visitor engagement by making exhibits more immersive and engaging. For example, virtual reality can transport visitors to different times and places, and augmented reality can superimpose digital information on top of physical objects. Interactive installations can also encourage visitors to interact with exhibits in new and curious ways.
Improved Accessibility Another benefit of using interactive technologies is that they can improve accessibility for all museum visitors. For example, exhibits that use audio descriptions or sign language interpretation can satisfy the needs of people with hearing disorders. Additionally, those that use braille or large print media bring possibilities to experience content for visitors with blindness or low vision impairments.
Enhanced Learning Opportunities Interactive technologies can also provide enhanced learning opportunities for all age groups. For example, games and quizzes can help to teach visitors about the subject matter in a fun and engaging way. Additionally, VR and AR technologies can allow visitors to learn through experience, such as our virtual experience created for the Pasvalys museum.
Interactive technologies & transforming museum experiences
Interactive technologies transform the museum experience by bringing communication with visitors to the next level – it engages, educates, and increases attendance. For example, some museums use virtual reality headsets to give visitors a realistic and immersive experience of what it was like to be in ancient Rome, Athens, or anywhere else. Other museums use touch screens to provide more control over visitors’ experience. Motion-sensing games are also used in museums to make the experience more interactive and fun. Interactive technologies are also changing the way museums communicate with visitors. Some museums use social media to interact with visitors before they even arrive at the museum. Other museums send text messages to visitors during their visit, giving them information about exhibits and events they might be interested in exploring. Additionally, many museums now have apps that visitors can use to help them plan their visit and learn more about the existing collections. For higher quality education, museums now offer digital tours that use augmented reality or virtual reality to enhance the visitor’s experience or educational games and activities that use interactive technologies to teach visitors about different topics related to the museum’s collection or theme. Finally, interactive technologies increase attendance by making it easier for people to plan their visits and learn about the museum in advance. Many people who would usually not visit a museum are now doing so because of the immersive and interactive experiences they can partake in there.
What are some examples of interactive technologies being used in museums?
Virtual reality is one example of an interactive technology used in museums to create immersive experiences for visitors. Virtual reality headsets transport users to different periods, locations, and settings, allowing them to explore history in a new and more realistic way. Additionally, VR can provide simulated experiences that otherwise would be impossible, like the Valdovų rūmai museum used it to recreate a historical castle environment. VR can also simulate what it would be like to walk on the surface of Mars or to fly through the Grand Canyon. Augmented reality is another example of an interactive technology used in museums. It superimposes digital information on top of physical objects, providing visitors with additional information about exhibits. AR can display the title of a painting on the wall next to it or provide information about the artist who created it. For example, Panemunės pilis is using AR to enrich the existing tour, and the Zanavykai museum uses AR with a physical model to explain the history of the palace surroundings. Other examples of interactive technology used in museums include touch screens, motion-sensing games on floors and walls, QR codes, tactile solutions, projections, and many others. These technologies provide visitors with new ways to interact with museum exhibits. For more ideas, please visit this portfolio section! Also if you are feeling lost and want to understand how to choose the right tech solution from this immense variety of possibilities, check out our article “What technology is right for us?”