Application of VR and AR in Museums: The Case of Three Croatian Museums

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to give an insight into the current use of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MX) in museums as particular types of cultural institutions that belong to cultural and creative industries (CCIs). Although museums are among the first organisations that have started to accept and implement different types of VR systems, the adoption is relatively gradual and, in some cases, still slow. Initially, museums offered virtual tours on compact disc (CD) and gradually implemented VR. Museums have recently started implementing AR and MR as the newest technologies. So, the acceptance and implementation of different XR technologies in museums still face many technological, human resources and financial challenges. However, some museums have overcome these barriers to provide better experiences and attract new generations of visitors to museums offline and online. Therefore, this chapter will showcase, relying on the case study methodology, three successful Croatian museums. First, it will show the case of Vučedol Culture Museum, which uses VR, AR and Artificial Intelligence (AI); second, it will present the case of Trakošćan Castle and Museum, which recently introduced an AR; and third, the case of the small museum, JGL Pharmacy Museum, which offers both VR and AR to visitors in physical museum.