Article by Actronika (FR)
Immersive technology is opening doors that were previously closed in the cultural world. The MuseIT project is harnessing this potential to transform cultural experiences, making them not only more innovative but also much more accessible.
Accessibility in cultural activities, such as museums and concerts, is essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully enjoy and participate in cultural richness. By making these spaces more inclusive, access to artistic and educational experiences is broadened, and the diversity of perspectives and voices interacting with cultural content is enriched. Integrating technologies that facilitate accessibility, such as haptic technology, is crucial for overcoming physical and sensory barriers, allowing everyone to connect, learn, and be moved by culture in all its forms.
Haptic Technology in Accessibility
When talking about immersive technologies, virtual or augmented reality glasses often come to mind. However, these technologies go beyond visual and auditory stimuli. Haptic technology offers a new dimension of perception and connection with cultural content, especially for people with visual or auditory disabilities, whose cultural experiences are often limited or even inaccessible.
For example, in a museum, a visually impaired person could "feel" the composition of a work of art through a haptic interface, while a hearing-impaired person could experience the vibration and rhythm of a musical piece at a concert thanks to a haptic device. This technology not only enhances inclusivity but also enriches the cultural experience for all visitors.
Actronika's Role in MuseIT
As a partner of the MuseIT project, Actronika specializes in high-definition haptic technology, focused on the science of touch. Our team is dedicated to designing detailed haptic sensations and working with the Unitouch Studio software to create experiences that are more natural, intuitive, and realistic.
Additionally, our team provides the project with our hardware: the Skinetic vest, a medium through which users can experience multisensory sensations. Designed to fit any body type, this vest allows all users to enjoy immersive experiences. Equipped with 20 vibrotactile actuators, the vest provides hundreds of realistic sensations that significantly enhance immersion in digital experiences.
To simplify access to multimedia content with haptic feedback, we have integrated the Audio to Haptics function into the vest. Its key feature is the ability to analyze multimedia content audio in real-time. Unlike other solutions that only amplify low frequencies, our system offers a richer experience by processing the entire audio spectrum and creating a corresponding haptic track. This ensures that the haptic feedback you experience is more nuanced and perfectly synchronized with the content.
By offering these tools that enable simple and rapid haptic design and integration, cultural institutions, developers, and designers have the opportunity to redesign their cultural experiences. This not only responds to digital trends, reengaging new generations but also allows the entire public to enjoy exhibitions, artworks, events, and a more inclusive education.
Application of Haptic Technology in Cultural Exhibitions
The applications of haptic technology in the cultural field are vast, ranging from transforming how visitors explore traditional exhibitions to adding realism to extended reality (XR) arts. For example, Actronika has implemented its expertise in haptic technology in an exhibition in collaboration with dArt, an innovative multisensory creative incubator.
We integrated our device, the Skinetic haptic vest, into an art exhibition dedicated to the beauty of water to enhance immersion in XR art experiences. Users were able to feel realistic sensations with each interaction during the narrative and every step of live virtual art creation.
Haptic technology opens up a range of possibilities in how artists and cultural centers allow users to experience art and history from a new perspective. By implementing immersive technologies like haptics, the public can enjoy art with senses beyond sight and hearing, also opening the opportunity to make cultural assets more accessible to all types of audiences. This is exactly what MuseIT seeks to achieve by implementing enhanced accessibility through the integration of innovative technologies in cultural experiences.
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