How AR & VR Carries Museum Experiences to Next Level?

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are compelling to bring ideas and things to life and create stunning immersive experiences. Alongside other uses related to VR and AR and ‘edutainment,’ their ‘edutain capabilities make them ideal for cultural institutions’ programs, events, and other activities.

We believe it is true that VR will be the future of museums. Over the past two years, numerous thrilling VR experiences have shown the potential of Virtual Reality and its increasing popularity within the field. Several current exhibitions at museums provide an ideal opportunity to discuss VR in museums.

VR experiences may be interactive, or they can take the form of 360-degree video. Museums are using VR in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of museums using VR technology to benefit art enthusiasts and students, schoolchildren curators and artists.

How is AR/VR Used Differently in Museums?

Although AR and VR are beneficial, they offer different kinds of interaction. Museum curators must be aware of the capabilities of these technologies to allow both adults and children to get entirely immersed in the journey.

The benefit of using VR in museums is that visitors can experience being in another’s shoes, understand their perspectives, and be a part of the experience rather than observe in a conventional museum.

AR in museums implies that digital experiences are contextually aware based on the person using it, changing to a different time of day, or adjusting to different locations. Museums typically utilize AR to create interactive scavenger hunts, which allow for exploration in a particular area.

Use Cases AR and VR in museums

Depending on the nature and type of Museums, Augmented and Virtual Reality could enable a range of applications. Let’s look at them together.

Use Case 1

Utilizing Augmented Reality, users using their smartphone camera to view an artwork can enjoy additional information. The viewer can hear the description and the narrative of the artwork straight from the creator. They can also hear old music, street noises chattering, and bringing into the modern-day everyday surroundings of the time the artwork was made. Extinct animals could come back to life, interfering with children.

Many battles and conflicts could be relieved firsthand, and scientific demonstrations could be presented with examples. The viewer could perceive frescos as brand new or trace through the artist’s work of the artwork. Paintings could be made more accurate and interact with visitors.

Use Case 2

This is also true for sculptures and other tridimensional objects displayed in museums. Immersive technologies help to focus visitors’ attention on the specific aspects of a piece of art, using the aid of 3D highlights that are superimposed onto the actual object.

AR and VR have proved to be extremely useful, mainly when the aim is to demonstrate what specific works of art or ruins were in their original splendor.

If guide tours aren’t accessible, AR and VR assist by creating 3D avatars or holograms which can direct visitors on a defined route and assist them in getting maximum enjoyment out of the museum by helping them explore and discover even the most obscure treasures.

Use Case 3

Make the most of the experience from the museums!

There are AR platforms based on GPS that permit the creation of interactive AR applications. The industry of mobile gaming has been using them since it was introduced. Pokemon Go is a prime example of successfully using AR that use location to provide entertainment.

Use Case 4

To attract and draw in potential visitors, museums could launch AR/VR based mobile apps for public that allow users to experience an expectation of what they will discover in the museum, which is like what is seen in movie trailers.

A visit to the museum can begin from the couch or in the comfort of your home and end with an experience at the museum. The app may even allow you to purchase tickets at discounted price.

Conclusion

It’s clear that AR, as well as VR, is the future for museums. VR experiences like Hold the World will enhance and enthrall people with their environment in science museum settings. AR experiences such as Skin and Bones will add dimension to the education offered by history museums. Both are set to continue to be a way to engage viewers and create opportunities for museum visitors.

If you have an idea you want to be created, get in touch with us, and we can bring it to life. Whether it’s a quick prototype, a complete product, or even brainstorming, our team will be here to help. We can support you with professional advice and delivery from the beginning of your prototype to the final product.