SHIFT’s haptic tool was piloted with three different groups of users affected by disabilities in a week-long event in Budapest in late May.
The SOM Testing Week took place at the Semmelweis Museum of the History of Medicine(SOM) and marked a significant milestone in the development and user experience testing of the FORTH VR – Haptic tool. Organised jointly by the developers from FORTH and the SOM museum professionals o, the four-day testing phase targeted three distinct user groups: individuals with hearing impairments, visual impairments, and those on the autism spectrum.
Participants had the opportunity to virtually experience a 19th-century surgical procedure through the immersive VR application developed by FORTH. This hands-on engagement provided invaluable insights into the accessibility and effectiveness of the tool. The responses gathered throughout the week were overwhelmingly positive, highlighting both the successful usability of the VR-Haptic tool and its potential to enhance the museum experience for diverse audiences. Testers emphasised that the integration of such innovative technologies would significantly improve the inclusivity and educational value of museum visits.
The Testing Week concluded with a public Pilot Event on the evening of May 30th. The event welcomed several distinguished representatives from the SHIFT Project, including keynote speakers from partner institutions such as The Heritage Management Organization and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.
During the event, visitors were presented with a comprehensive showcase demonstrating the development process behind the SHIFT tools. This included an explanation of how a museum artefact undergoes 3D segmentation by MDS and how it is subsequently integrated into the virtual environment by the technical team at FORTH. The showcase not only offered a behind-the-scenes look at the technical processes involved but also invited dialogue, as attendees had the chance to engage directly with the development teams through an open Q&A session.
