Creation of a haptic computer technology which enables blind and visually impaired museum visitors to 'touch' 3-D scans of museum artefacts. The objects have been digitised and are presented with multimedia information support.

The "Probos unit" offers the chance to have a tactile experience of museum objects through fingertip discovery. The system features high-quality 3-D scans and offers additional multimedia information and the possibility to zoom in or out. It is possible to feel details on the surface and to differentiate materials from the sound they make.

The Probos unit offers the chance to have a 3-D tactile experience of museum objects through fingertip discovery. The system features high-quality 3-D scans of an object and offers additional audio/multimedia information and the ability to magnify and zoom in on details. It is possible to feel details like cracks on the surface according to the magnification and it is possible to differentiate materials from the sound they make.

Problems Targeted

Museum artefacts are usually displayed behind glass or are often too fragile, small, heavy or valuable to handle physically or even touch. In a museum most things are for display only, and rarely can an object or replica be touched or held. In order to create a haptic sensational museum experience and find out more about an object, this system allows visitors to touch precious objects which are usually unlikely to be handled.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Haptic interactive museum experience through 3-D scans