The Inside Explorer Table allows people to see the inside of a body. It was
developed by Interactive Institute and partners
I
n November 2012, curators at the British Museum in London, UK, collaborated with a team of medical experts to create a computerised tomography (CT)-scanned mummy. From the scans, new insights were
gained into life and death in Ancient Egypt more than 5,000 years ago. The same technology has potential for
use in the attractions industry, not least because it offers an exciting new way for visitors to experience data. The groundbreaking techniques, which
digitally unwrapped the mummy layer by layer, revealed unprecedented information about his age, health and even diet, as the technology uncovered hidden interior details that had not been seen before. The data gathered was transformed
into 3D visualisations thanks to volume graphics software like that used in the auto engineering industry. A temporary exhibition, Virtual
Autopsy: Exploring a Natural Mummy from Early Egypt, at the British Museum, used detailed images created from high-resolution CT scans to build interactive installations. These 3D digital installations, using visualisation software known as Inside Explorer, allowed visitors to delve into the interior layers of the mummy, thanks
AM 1 2015 ©Cybertrek 2015
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AROUND HUMAN ANATOMY IN
SCIENCE CENTRES COULD BE REPLICATED IN ZOOS
to the zooming, panning, rotating and peeling functions available via an interactive touch screen. The success of Virtual Autopsy led to the installation of a permanent exhibition at the British Museum and a second tem- porary exhibition last year entitled Ancient Lives, New Discoveries. The exhibit presented the scans of eight mummified humans from various points in history, using pre-rendered video sequences.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES The technology is improving. It’s becoming easier to use and producing ever more comprehensive results. In fact, the technology is the same as that used in hospitals for clinical work and for human forensic investigation. Owner of the software, the Interactive
Institute Swedish ICT, has identified interest from zoos and aquariums in using the same technology to offer visitors a new perspective on the creatures in front of them. As the cost and radiation dosages of modern CT scanners come down and image quality improves, CT scanners are starting to be used more frequently in zoos and veterinary clinics. “The technology is getting better
images with lower dosages, which has always been one of the goals of scanner manufacturers,” says David Hughes, manager of solution development at Interactive Institute Swedish ICT.
APPLICATIONS IN ZOOS The scans of the animals, as well as being used for medical purposes, could also potentially be used to engage visitors, not only in science and history museums, but in a wider range of sectors in the attractions industry. “Public engagement activities around human anatomy in science centres could be replicated in zoos and potentially aquariums,” he says. “There’s no real reason as to why this couldn’t be repeated, certainly with vertebrates.” The scanning of live animals presents several key points that could be
Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital 73
PHOTOS© CENTRE FOR MEDICAL IMAGE SCIENCE AND VISUALISATION (CMIV) & KOLMÅRDEN WILDLIFE PARK
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