Touching Masterpieces: VR experience for the blind to “see” the works of art

Through haptic gloves, developed by NeuroDigital, Blind people can perceive every detail of masterpieces such as Michelangelo's David or Venus de Milo.

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

Named 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 Michelangelo's David masterpieces., the Venus de Milo and the bust of Nefertiti.

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

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

For your part, NeuroDigital VR haptic gloves, built with vibrotactile actuators, They 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.