Augmented reality and virtual reality (commonly abbreviated as AR and respectively, VR) are reality technologies that either enhance or replace a real-life environment with a simulated one. Augmented Reality (AR) enhances your surroundings by adding digital elements to a live view, usually by using the camera on a smartphone. Virtual reality (VR) is a completely captivating experience that replaces a real-life environment with a simulated one.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all aspects of people’s lives, including how we work, play, learn, exercise, and socialize. Virtual reality (VR) technology has the potential to mitigate many of the challenges brought about by the pandemic, which has spurred increased adoption.
The possibilities of using AR and VR in museums allows the audience to experience the actual tour from the comfort of their homes. This has been an innovation born out of necessity during the pandemic, and has demonstrated its utility in the educational and cultural field and it is continually developed in order to offer a more realistic feel to the VR and AR experience.
Let’s see how VR and AR has changed the way we visit museums!
Museums with virtual tours and 3D digital collections
In an effort to bring people closer to their historical heritage this project has digitized the access to culture with the creation of virtual tours of museums, both national and international heritage are supported and the level of general culture of tourists and the general public is improved.
Empúries virtual. Guided tour and virtual reality with glasses.
Another way digitalization changed the classic visit to the museum is by integrating VR and AR technologies in their guided tour in order to recreate structures and landmarks, objects and even people. This enhances the understanding of the audience and gives them a better view of the history behind the ruins and the heritage they stand for.
Live Guided Virtual Tours, Girona, Spain
Because visiting a museum alone from you own desk is not enough a new model of services has taken shape in the pandemic period in the form of virtual guided tours. Girona Guided Services is a tourist guide service that has adapted its catalogue to a very interesting virtual format. There is a guide on site, who will be giving the explanations while the visitor will be able to follow them from home. The novelty is that there is a second guide, in a study, that complements the guide’s explanations, sending the visitor photos or documents related to the place. The visitors also have the possibility to interact with the guide and ask them any questions regarding what they see.
If these examples are relevant to you and want to know more about the digitalisation of events and tools used in this process, keep browsing our map to discover over 100 digitalisation best practices!
