Multisensory Interactive System for Museum Artifacts

The challenge

Museums are highly visual, and current audio guides disconnect information from physical artifacts for blind and low-vision visitors. This project bridges that gap, synchronizing touch with immediate audio and haptic feedback for independent discovery.

Who it helps

- Blind and low-vision museum visitors of all ages who seek independent, self-guided, and tactile learning experiences.

- Museum curators, accessibility coordinators, and educational institutions looking for modular, scalable,

How it works

By synchronizing physical exploration with real-time audio and haptic feedback, our system empowers BLV visitors to independently build accurate spatial mental maps. This transforms passive, disconnected observation into active, accessible learning.

We offer a 3D-printed artifact replica equipped with a custom PCB, touch sensors, and vibration motors. When users touch specific conductive regions, the system instantly triggers localized audio descriptions and haptic feedback through headphones.

Tools needed

PC or MAC I7 +

Prusa slicer

FDM Printer

Stand

Soldering set

Voltmeter

Cable stripper

Project details

• Stage: Working Model
• Built by the Cornell Tech community, New York, United States of America
• Team: Individuals within the blind and low-vision (BLV) community who experience barriers to independent learning in visually-centric environments
• Category: Fun/Leisure, Daily Living
• 4 downloads

The build files for Multisensory Interactive System for Museum Artifacts are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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