How can a robot help create a more accessible museum?
Since 2015, the Van Abbemuseum has had a museum robot that makes it possible to for people to visit the museum from home or hospital if they are physically unable to go there in person.
People who are unable to go to museums due to physical limitations can still visit the exhibitions at the Van Abbemuseum. A robot makes it possible for them to experience the museum and art from their own surroundings. You can steer this robot through the museum yourself. Escorting the museum robot, there is always someone on hand who can conduct a conversation with the remote visitor. A guided tour including detailed explanations of the artworks is also available.
How does it work?
In order to be able to control the robot, you will need the following:
- either a laptop or PC with a webcam, microphone and keyboard, or a smartphone or tablet
- a good internet connection (e.g. 4G or Wi-Fi network)
- a robot booking for a specific time
- control software (you can download this using the link that will be sent to you as soon as the booking has been confirmed)
Would you like to know more?
You can book the robot on the Van Abbemuseum website. Once you have completed the form, you will receive an email containing a download link to a small program, which you will need to control the robot. It also displays the booking time when you can log in to the robot. So it’s really simple.
Are you are interested to know what how a visit using the museum robot looks like, then please watch the following video.
Sponsored by
The Unlimited from Abbe programme is sponsored by participants in the BankGiro Lottery. In April 2014, the programme coordinator Marleen Hartjes used this contribution to start preparations for the Special Guests programme, which was opened to the public in October of the same year.