Beyond the Bones offers an immersive VR experience that educates visitors on the fascinating research behind fossils.
Karam Alsawaftah, Kim-Sophia Kober, Linus Ziesel, Mohammed Najm, and Riccardo “Ricci” Ligouri
3. Semester, 2025
Prof. Dr. Frank Gabler, Prof. Philip Hausmeier, Maren Demant
Augmented and Virtual Reality Design
By stepping into the shoes of a researcher, users will uncover the hidden secrets of fossils, with a focus on the Psittacosaurus Mongoliensis fossil, bringing this ancient creature to life through interactive technology.
Objectives:
This project aims to break the boundaries of traditional fossil displays by allowing users to dig deeper into the history and scientific research of these creatures. It provides a fun, gamified approach to learning, enabling visitors to explore the story and research behind fossils, offering both education and entertainment.
Technology:
Developed for the Meta Quest headset, this VR Experience is brought to life using Unity. It features a short vertical slice based on the Psittacosaurus fossil located in the Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt.
Features and Functionality:
Visitors will explore a futuristic lab equipped with cutting-edge tools, including scanners, measurement tools, and electron microscopes, all designed to assist in reviving ancient creatures like the Psittacosaurus.
Challenges and Solutions:
One key challenge was allowing users to discover information independently without overwhelming them. To solve this, we incorporated visual and audio feedback, along with on-screen guidance, to enhance the experience while allowing user autonomy.
Conclusion and Future Work:
The project successfully demonstrates the excitement of interactive learning. Future updates could include additional fossils, more research tools, and expanded educational content.
