Experiencing virtual haptics was one of the highlights at the partner meeting held in Manchester this month. Virtual haptics is among the three technologies which will be used in the AMBAVis project to convey paintings and cultural objects to blind and visually impaired people. Through the Probos© Interface we had the opportunity to touch artefacts despite the fact that they exist only virtually. Within the next weeks a painting of Gustav Klimt located at the Galerie Belvedere and an ancient Egypt sarcophagus of a cat mummy from the Manchester Museum will be edited via this technology in order to allow a better access for blind people. Furthermore a first prototype of the relief printer medium was presented and tested. First tests showed that the printer medium used has a very promising quality regarding haptic experience and usability. The two paintings/artefacts mentioned above will also be transformed to tactile models through the relief printer medium within the next months. A subsequent evaluation of the outputs will examine the user-friendliness as well as the economic terms of its production processes.
Mike is testing the usability of Probos (C) technology.
The AMBAVis-team at the project meeting in Manchester.
Stefanie, Mike, Eva and Rainer exploring 3D printed objects.
Sam leading the AMBAVis-team through the Manchester Museum.