People enjoy museums. In a pre-pandemic poll, 97% of people saw museums as educational assets for their communities, and 89% believed museums contributed economic benefits as well. However, as with many industries, 2020 was a shock to the museum industry that still affects it today. AV technology solutions are playing a major role in that recovery, as is the rise of immersive experiences.
In this edition of the AV take, we talk to Brian Duffy, Panasonic’s Strategic Account Manager of Live Entertainment, about how museums are using AV technology to enhance the visitor experience. We also discuss examples where Panasonic technology is creating unique, unmissable exhibits that are enticing guests back to museums.
Q: One way to help museums boost attendance and encourage repeat visits is to modernize the museum experience. Can you speak to how digital displays and other AV technology, such as the solutions offered by Panasonic, can be deployed to create a more immersive experience for attendees?
Duffy: Display technology is used in many ways in museums and public spaces today. At its basic level, it can be used for traditional digital signage or wayfinding. When paired with other technologies, we can use real data points to tailor the content on the screen for a personalized experience.
Q: How do digital displays create opportunities to personalize guest experiences?
Duffy: A good example is the advancement of facial recognition technology. Through facial recognition, we can assign a unique identifier to each person walking through an experience. That unique ID can be paired to a profile and combined with machine learning to create a truly individualized experience.
For example, if a child is walking through a museum, they can have content displayed to them at their reading level, about topics that are of interest to them, and spoken to them by an avatar that is comforting and relatable. This personalized approach not only makes learning feel more relevant but also creates a deeper emotional connection to the exhibits and the overall space.
Q: Another exciting development for museums is the integration of immersive technology. How can Panasonic projectors be used to create unique immersive experiences?
Duffy: "Immersive" can be seen as an overused buzzword today. The goal here is to create a mixed reality shared expertise. Think of it as VR without a headset. When the correct projectors, lenses, and playback systems are chosen, venues can take a "black box" room and transform this space into a digital shared experience of their choosing. When paired with interactives, this allows visitors to make a deeper connection with the artwork or content chosen.
Exhibitions like Sensory Odyssey exemplify this approach. They seamlessly integrate hyper-realistic visuals, scents, soundscapes, dynamic lighting, and tactile elements to guide guests on a sensory-rich journey through various natural habitats.
When choosing the best equipment for the space, it's important to understand the total runtime of the show. Not all projectors are created equal. For example, with projectors utilizing advanced DLP technology, museums can create seamless walls of images with greatly extended operational lifespans, ensuring uninterrupted, high-impact experiences even in demanding environments. Selecting the right technology not only safeguards image quality and reliability but also maximizes the longevity and efficiency of your investment, allowing for more creative freedom and fewer maintenance concerns.
Q: At the WWII Museum, technology helps the events of the past feel vital and relevant to modern audiences. How was Panasonic able to use projection mapping technology to power this experience?
Duffy: The Expressions of America exhibit immerses guests in the stories of the WWII era through vivid imagery and sound. Utilizing Panasonic projection mapping technology, it creates an experience that resonates with modern audiences. The venue's unique architectural design, characterized by individual pavilions that rise 90 feet beneath a striking 150-foot canopy, provides an exceptional backdrop for these impressive projections.
With eight advanced projectors — six PT-RQ50KU laser projectors, one PT-RQ22KU laser projector, and one PT-RQ32KU laser projector — strategically positioned across the rooftops and at the base of the venue, guests engage deeply with the content, effectively being transported back in time and forming a powerful connection to the past.
This comprehensive setup transforms the Museum campus into an immersive environment, allowing visitors to engage with written words, songs, and personal reflections from the WWII generation. The combination of Panasonic’s cutting-edge technology and the carefully crafted exhibition design invites exploration and reflection on history from multiple perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the past.
Q: Immersive experiences also encourage greater guest engagement. How has projection and 4K display technology been used at the White House Experience to create educational content that is entertaining and engaging?
Duffy: At The People’s House: A White House Experience, projection and display technology play a crucial role in crafting educational content that is both entertaining and engaging for visitors. The venue, which spans 33,000 square feet, offers an impressive variety of replicas and interactive exhibits designed to immerse guests in the history of the White House beyond the traditional confines of the president's office.
One of the standout features is the large-scale model of the White House, complemented by the immersive projection capabilities in the State Floor area. Utilizing Panasonic’s cutting-edge technology, the venue employs high-resolution 4K LED monitors and advanced projectors to deliver captivating visual experiences.
In the Immersive Theater, the Panasonic PT-RQ18KU projector, with its ultra-short-throw lens, provides stunning visuals that immerse guests without creating distracting shadows. This allows visitors to engage deeply with the content displayed, such as reenactments of significant historical moments.
Q: How does this approach help guests connect with the history of the space?
Duffy: These immersive displays bring to life compelling narratives about the presidents and their families, transforming how visitors absorb historical information. By projecting visually rich content, the experience encourages guests to interact with the exhibits, explore different perspectives, and connect emotionally with U.S. history.
The combination of interactive technology and storytelling not only educates but also entertains, making the experience memorable. By using AV technology in such innovative ways, The People’s House creates an environment where learning becomes an engaging and participatory adventure.
Q: What other uses for AV technology do you think museums might explore in the future?
Duffy: In the near future, museums are poised to leverage advanced AV technology such as immersive projection mapping, interactive touchscreens, augmented reality, and spatial audio systems to create more captivating and dynamic exhibitions. These technologies can transform static displays into multisensory environments, allowing visitors to virtually “step into” historical moments or artworks. Artificial intelligence can further enhance these interactive experiences by personalizing content based on each visitor’s interests, providing intelligent virtual guides, and enabling real-time language translation or accessibility features. With AI-driven analytics and responsive interfaces, museums could offer adaptive storytelling, gamified exploration, and inclusive access, turning every visit into a unique, interactive journey tailored to individual preferences and needs.
Panasonic Provides the AV Technology Needed for Museums to Meet the Challenges of the Future
Museums are designed to be educational. They connect us with our history, but there’s no reason they should feel dated themselves. The use of AV technology and immersive experiences can help revitalize the museum experience, allowing history to come alive in a way that will continue to engage and attract future generations.
For another example, see how Panasonic technology has modernized the Statue of Liberty experience, and hear more from Brian Duffy on the expanding role of immersive experiences.
