How 3D Technology is Changing the Museum Experience? 

Museums continually look for different ways to enhance the experience of visitors visiting their exhibitions. Technological innovation has enabled museums to incorporate various types of technology into their exhibitions. 

Most museums have already come on board to make the necessary changes, using the likes of 3D printing, 3D scanning, virtual reality, and special applications, to modernize visitors’ visit to the museum.  

With advancements in technology making the news almost every day, it is only safe to assume that museums will also look to incorporate the newest technological gadget and software into their environment.

The Primary Reason Museums Are Seeking to Incorporate Newer Technology

The constant development and advancement of technology has increased people’s expectations. Visitors no longer want just one way to experience the museum, but want several different ways. They want to be able to explore the museum using certain technologies. Museums that have recognized the changing needs of visitors have began to integrate and develop technologies to engage their visitors. This is how they are doing that:

1.       Virtual Reality

Virtual reality requires users to put on special headgear, which transports them into another reality such as at the bottom of the sea or to another era. The Franklin Institute located in Philadelphia is one such museum using virtual reality to give their visitors a unique experience. The museum transports visitors to a space shuttle and Chernobyl, the site of the nuclear disaster, using a virtual reality headgear. The museum also transports users inside a human body, solar system, the human brain, and the sea to look at a blue whale.

2.       3D Scanning and Printing

Museums use 3D scanning and printing technology to make multiple copies of historical artifacts to give to visitors. This allows visitors to interact with the historical artifact in a whole different way than before. 3D printing and scanning technology also allows museums to perform a detailed investigation of frail specimens.

3.       Navigating the Museum

If you visit the American Museum of Natural History, chances are you may get lost. The museum has introduced an application called Explorer, which uses several Bluetooth hotspots scattered all over the museum to allow visitors to navigate the museum without getting lost.

The application tells people where they need to turn next. Visitors also do not need to tell the application where they are, as all they need to do is raise their phone in the air to allow the app to recognize the visitor’s destination.  

4.       Roboguides

Roboguides or telepresence robots are screens placed on two poles on wheels. The roboguides use videoconferencing technology to give visitors facts and information not available from a tour guide.

The main goal of museums is to make the visitor’s experience fun and enjoyable. They also want to keep up with the time and need to give visitors a reason to visit the museum. With the new generation being born into technology, museums and other facilities will have to rely on 3D technology to enrich people’s experience.