UK Digital Heritage Centre (DHC)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Inst of Digital Eng & Autonomous Systems
Abstract
The University of Liverpool's Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) has been working since 2010 to bridge the innovation gap between academic research and new product and process development using virtual reality (VR) and digital twins. Our experienced team works closely with our commercial and heritage partners to deliver impact to the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
As the VEC was one of the first VR facilities set up in the UK, our team is one of the most experienced and skilled in the UK at making use of VR, digital twins, laser scanning, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and photogrammetry to create lifelike and engaging virtual experiences and exhibits. Our multi-disciplinary team includes visualisation professionals, developers and human factor experts.
VEC has a strong focus on collaboration, meaning that we have worked closely with partners across academia, heritage organisations and industry. Our past work means that we are already a trusted partner for many local heritage organisations, and we also have case studies that enable us to showcase our expertise when discussing projects with potential new clients. This has enabled us to develop a local collaboration network across northwest that includes heritage sites, museums and galleries.
We recently completed a project with St. George's Hall to create a lifelike digital copy of the Minton tiled floor, containing over 30,000 hand-crafted individual tiles. Using our scanning technology, we were able to 3D-scan the floor without causing damage to the tiles, capturing the details to a 1mm scale. This model can then be viewed by visitors to St. George's Hall to see a realistic view of the tiles without needing to remove the wooden cover used to protect them.
Recently in collaboration with our partners the VEC led the UK Digital Heritage Symposium 2022 to enable knowledge sharing of our and partners work in Digital Heritage. The event included presentations, demonstrations and panel discussions as well as an SME showcase for companies working in Digital Heritage.
The VEC's digital transformation team will develop a digital heritage ecosystem that will make the UK a world leader in digital heritage. As part of this programme of work, the VEC team will contribute towards the development of a Digital Heritage Strategy for the Liverpool City Region. This strategy will focus on heritage preservation, the promotion of its value, lessons to new generations and the progression of history as a driver for inclusion, education and enterprise. Given our expertise and existing projects that we are undertaking in the Liverpool City Region, the VEC team is uniquely positioned to form the hub for a UK Digital Heritage Centre in the Northwest.
Whilst our existing technology still enables us to work with our partners, in this fast-moving area of technology, some of our equipment is no longer leading edge and has no capability to support this activity. This has the potential to limit our ability to continue to expand upon the work we have already carried out with our local heritage partners.
By supporting these upgrades to our technology, AHRC would be equipping the VEC to deliver impactful projects for many years and enabling us to support the digital preservation of the region's priceless heritage assets and work with our heritage partners to:
1) Contribute to the creation of a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative UK heritage ecosystem
2) Showcase Liverpool's and Northwest heritage to wider networks (e.g., students, local business, industry leaders, heritage stakeholders)
3) Support collaborative projects to improve heritage economy, preservation and engagement
4) Create impactful digital twins and immersive VR exhibits
We are bidding for £912,976.00 Inc VAT under Strand 1 to upgrade our facilities and create a Northwest Digital Heritage Centre in Liverpool.
As the VEC was one of the first VR facilities set up in the UK, our team is one of the most experienced and skilled in the UK at making use of VR, digital twins, laser scanning, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and photogrammetry to create lifelike and engaging virtual experiences and exhibits. Our multi-disciplinary team includes visualisation professionals, developers and human factor experts.
VEC has a strong focus on collaboration, meaning that we have worked closely with partners across academia, heritage organisations and industry. Our past work means that we are already a trusted partner for many local heritage organisations, and we also have case studies that enable us to showcase our expertise when discussing projects with potential new clients. This has enabled us to develop a local collaboration network across northwest that includes heritage sites, museums and galleries.
We recently completed a project with St. George's Hall to create a lifelike digital copy of the Minton tiled floor, containing over 30,000 hand-crafted individual tiles. Using our scanning technology, we were able to 3D-scan the floor without causing damage to the tiles, capturing the details to a 1mm scale. This model can then be viewed by visitors to St. George's Hall to see a realistic view of the tiles without needing to remove the wooden cover used to protect them.
Recently in collaboration with our partners the VEC led the UK Digital Heritage Symposium 2022 to enable knowledge sharing of our and partners work in Digital Heritage. The event included presentations, demonstrations and panel discussions as well as an SME showcase for companies working in Digital Heritage.
The VEC's digital transformation team will develop a digital heritage ecosystem that will make the UK a world leader in digital heritage. As part of this programme of work, the VEC team will contribute towards the development of a Digital Heritage Strategy for the Liverpool City Region. This strategy will focus on heritage preservation, the promotion of its value, lessons to new generations and the progression of history as a driver for inclusion, education and enterprise. Given our expertise and existing projects that we are undertaking in the Liverpool City Region, the VEC team is uniquely positioned to form the hub for a UK Digital Heritage Centre in the Northwest.
Whilst our existing technology still enables us to work with our partners, in this fast-moving area of technology, some of our equipment is no longer leading edge and has no capability to support this activity. This has the potential to limit our ability to continue to expand upon the work we have already carried out with our local heritage partners.
By supporting these upgrades to our technology, AHRC would be equipping the VEC to deliver impactful projects for many years and enabling us to support the digital preservation of the region's priceless heritage assets and work with our heritage partners to:
1) Contribute to the creation of a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative UK heritage ecosystem
2) Showcase Liverpool's and Northwest heritage to wider networks (e.g., students, local business, industry leaders, heritage stakeholders)
3) Support collaborative projects to improve heritage economy, preservation and engagement
4) Create impactful digital twins and immersive VR exhibits
We are bidding for £912,976.00 Inc VAT under Strand 1 to upgrade our facilities and create a Northwest Digital Heritage Centre in Liverpool.
