Developing a haptic interface with the assistance of a visually impaired focus group at Manchester Museum Sam Sportun – Manchester Museum & Christopher Dean – TAD systems

3D Recording – Benefits New technology Non-contact recording Accurate digital archive 3D Conservation record Replication Virtual restoration Haptics Conservation Technologies NML Freeform Studios Ltd

What is Haptics 2 way interaction with virtual objects, where action and perception is linked to a physical act Interaction with models in 3D space, allowing hand and eye to work together on the model Physical devices can be linked to virtual models to allow direct manipulation and gesture interfaces enable more naturalistic interaction

Haptic devices Practical considerations The PHANTOM TM stylus made by Geomagic is a haptic feedback device which provides single point, 3D force- feedback to the user via a stylus (Omni) or thimble Immersion 3D Interaction produce a products based around CyberGlove®, a tethered, instrumented glove that can sense the position and movement of the fingers and wrist. Omni chosen because of cost, robustness in a public setting, replaceable elements and 6 axis of movement

V&A touch tour St Dunstan’s – In Touch with Art 2010

Partners Sam Sportun and colleagues: Manchester Museum Christopher Dean: Touch and Discover Systems Focus Group: Henshaws: Society for Blind People Funders: Stavros Niarchos Foundation

Haptic interactive prototype for the visually impaired Create a digital experience that allows the blind and visually impaired visitor to access a group of museum objects, that would either be too fragile to touch or would remain inaccessible by virtue of being situated within a museum case

Developing a prototype

Objects selected by Henshaws: themes, fragility and form

User interface issues Introduction to the rooms The experience of interacting with 3d object, wall for containment, contrast and colour Location of the artefact in space Introduction to the models – understand the experience of deciphering the form point of contact Describe the objects before the experience Navigation buttons- how to move from one room to another Sound to enhance the understanding of construction and material

Testing the device Henshaws Society for the blind (Manchester) St Dunstan’s (Brighton) Blind Veterans UK (Llandudno) Royal National College for the Blind (Hereford) Culture Shots (Eye hospital) Manchester hospital schools and home teaching service forum Art and Science Agenda Nursing and Midwifery conference Healing Environment Activity meeting (Haptic working party)

Next steps and International content Improve durability of unit and handle Make content more interactive and improve audible instructions (verbosity) Add subtitles Improving fidelity. Magnetic outlines to improve understanding of forms Hotspots on 3d files for multimedia content Increase number of objects from MM Managing expectations Creating a portal for global collections on an accessible platform Yale Peabody Museum British Museum

Touching the untouchable