IIT Jodhpur to develop digital museum Using AR, VR for ASI

IIT Jodhpur is developing two augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) platforms for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The technology innovation hub of IIT Jodhpur known as iHub Drishti is developing two augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) platforms for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a government agency under the ministry of culture.

“ASI wants us to build a digital museum using AR and VR. The services will have a game-based platform to attract the younger generation’s interest in archaeology,” said Amit Bhardwaj, an assistant professor with IIT-Jodhpur’s department of electrical engineering.

Kurush Dalal, former professor of archaeology, University of Mumbai, and director, school of archaeology, India Student Centre Trust, said “The ASI has conducted some of the greatest excavations in history, but findings of some of these projects could never be displayed in a museum due to space constraints. Having a VR museum built specifically to showcase the ASI’s achievements could bring out historical items that have never been seen before.”

About ASI

It is involved in archaeological research and expeditions and is responsible for preserving monuments and maintaining museums. The core function is to protect historic sites, and it has dabbled in VR technologies as well.

ASI entered an alliance with Google's arts and culture division in April 2020 to offer an immersive VR experience at five historical sites, including Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, Maharashtra’s Ajanta and Ellora caves, Taj Mahal in Agra, and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. It is available on the Google Arts and Culture app and one can watch it on a smartphone using a Google Cardboard VR headset.

Manas Bairagi, chief executive iHub Drishti, said, "The government has initiated many projects to promote animation, visual effects, gaming and comics, to help AR-VR developers find jobs. The global market for AR, VR and MR products presently stands at around $30 billion, and by 2024, is set to grow 10x. India’s AR/VR market presently is worth around $1.8 billion, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40% – boosted by the idea of the metaverse.” 

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