Augmented reality (AR) startup Perception is using its Desktop AR platform to help museums reconnect with the public.
Perception has partnered with the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and Science Museum Group (SMG) to showcase the platform with the Unity-based plugin to attract visitors back to museums.
The plugin creates interactive 3D digital twins of exhibitions, which users can experience on a 2D monitor at home.
Perception was founded in Thailand in 2019 and is now expanding in the UK as it looks to deliver digital learning content to 20,000 students in both countries.
The firm’s expansion and partnerships have received backing from the UK Department for International Trade’s “Global Entrepreneur Programme” (GEP), which aims to facilitate the exploration of AR opportunities for arts and culture.
The news comes amid limited access to education in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which eLearning solutions like Engage VR have attempted to resolve.
Firms have responded by digitally transforming the sector with digital solutions such as the Desktop AR platform and others, namely as museums reopen after governments eased lockdown restrictions.
The partnership is a step in democratising global eLearning solutions by remotely sharing knowledge from museum experts and resources.
Gill Webber, Executive Director Content and Programmes at IWM said:
There was a “real desire within the museums sector to reach new audiences and explore innovative ways of sharing their collections”
Learning Centres and Digital Transformations
The solution comes after the SMG group closed its four museums due to COVID-19, leading nonprofit technology and communications company Tessitura to quickly step in and help.
SMG museums quickly reopened in May last year using its working relationship with Tessitura and later, resurging by integrating the latter’s digital network via online booking and outreach programmes.
London’s IWM is also looking to reemerge through digital transformations and help from the Hilton Hotel Group as the UK government eases lockdown restrictions.
The IWM plans to revamp its Duxford location by partnering with Hilton to construct an onsite hotel.
The digital and real-life transformation of IWM Duxford demonstrates the location emerging from COVID-19 stronger than ever as the public anticipates exciting tourism options.
Further digital exhibitions such as the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience event have mesmerised London audiences despite the pandemic and additionally, the National Museum of Qatar has integrated Microsoft Cloud technologies into its workshops and content curation.
