Output details

Touching Ghosts: Haptic technologies in museums

This chapter explores the value of haptic experiences in museums (those experiences that relate to ‘the physical senses’ such as touch and proprioception which provide us with perceptual information about the world and the objects around us, their material properties of texture, form, shape, temperature, etc.). It also addresses whether affordable haptic interface technology, for ‘experiencing’ 3D digital objects, is yet mature enough to enhance visitor experiences. These novel techniques from the area of virtual reality (VR) can potentially communicate the nature of artefacts through the sense of touch, or ‘haptics’. Haptic, or force-feedback interfaces, allow users to feel and touch virtual representations of priceless and rare artefacts without subjecting the real objects to risk. Arguments for introducing such technology into museums are presented together with an overview of the variety of tools currently available and their limitations. A number of questions about the application of this technology in the cultural heritage sector need to be answered. Can it enable visitors (real or virtual) to handle objects in a meaningful way? Can it add an extra dimension to exploration and understanding? Finally the chapter proposes a user-centred research agenda to investigate if and how uses of haptic technology can contribute to the overall visitor experience.

Prytherch originated the research following a Haptics workshop he organized on behalf of the AHRC in the User-Lab at BIAD for museum curators and conservators. The work was conducted with his co-investigator from SyMoN Lab, University of Birmingham, and took place in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery using a portable haptic system with participant visitors.

The book has sold throughout the world and has been favourably reviewed by Lawrence in Visitor Studies, 12: 1, 78 — 81 and led to a further publication.