Touching Masterpieces: VR experience that allows the blind to "see" works of art

Through haptic gloves, developed by NeuroDigital, blind people can perceive each of the details of masterpieces such as Michelangelo's David or Milo's Venus.

The Spanish company NeuroDigital Technologies has participated, alongside Geometry Prague, the Leontinka Foundation and the Prague National Gallery, in a virtual reality project that allows blind people to "see" works of art.

called Touching Masterpieces, this project recreates three works of art in virtual reality and allows, through haptic gloves, that blind people can perceive each of the details of the sculptures.

The goal was to create 3D models so that blind people could experience the masterpieces of Michelangelo's David, the Venus of Milo and the bust of Nefertiti.

Modified 3D models from laser scans of the original works and added the texture levels needed to achieve a real tactile experience.

To further enhance the experience of the blind, 3D models were divided into several main pieces and then the smaller regions of the sculpture were added for realistic accuracy. A projection system allowed 3D models to be transformed into a “relief map” 2D.

For its part, NeuroDigital VR haptic gloves, built with vibrotactile actuators, send vibrations to activate the sensors every time the person touches a 3D object in virtual space. Depending on the texture and shape of the virtual object, different vibrations are sent.

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