MINERWA
Research & Development
AustriaMINERWA is a research project by FH Kärnten, QWB Lab, Landesmuseum Kärnten, and fluxguide. The project aims to bring museum experiences directly into people’s homes by using virtual reality and streaming technologies, making cultural content more accessible and immersive.
MINERWA is a research project by FH Kärnten, QWB Lab, Landesmuseum Kärnten, and fluxguide. The project aims to bring museum experiences directly into people’s homes by using virtual reality and streaming technologies, making cultural content more accessible and immersive.
Equipped with a VR headset and a 360° camera, a guide moves through the museum while a live video stream is transmitted to users at home via a web platform. With a simple click, participants can explore the museum through the 360° camera and interact with the guide via chat.
The result is an interactive guided tour experience that opens up new possibilities for the digital communication of cultural content, particularly benefiting people with limited mobility.
Project Details
Project: MINERWA, “Mixed Reality Systems and Gigabit Internet for Enhanced Reachability and Wellbeing Analysis in Museums”
Funding context: FFG research project within the Broadband Austria 2030 initiative
Consortium: Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, QWB Lab, Museum of Carinthia, fluxguide
Focus: Mixed reality, gigabit internet, 360° streaming, and digital cultural engagement for museums
fluxguide’s contribution: Concept development, UX/UI design, technical development of the web platform, and implementation of digital engagement formats
Benefits: MINERWA creates new opportunities for digital museum experiences and makes cultural content accessible to people who are unable to attend an on-site guided tour.
Virtual Reality and 5G Research
MINERWA stands for “Mixed Reality Systems and Gigabit Internet for Enhanced Reachability and Wellbeing Analysis in Museums” and is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the Broadband Austria 2030 initiative.
In-Depth Content and Quizzes
The guide can expand on key topics by sharing additional content, such as high-resolution object views in full-screen mode. Audio, video, quizzes, and polls can also be used, for example to bridge transitions between rooms.
Interaction via Interface
Users at home can interact with the tour guide through an interface displayed in the guide’s VR headset. They can ask questions at any time by virtually raising their hand.
Further Research Questions
As part of MINERWA, fluxguide is developing both the web platform for transmitting the live stream and the user interface displayed in the guide’s VR headset. In addition to making museum tours accessible from remote locations, the project also focuses on users’ wellbeing. Research partner QWB Lab is investigating how cultural experiences, both physical and digital, can enhance quality of life and strengthen a sense of social belonging.
