Fauxlography "Bridges & Tunnels"
Complete installation in the museum
This interactive multimedia installation presenting a fauxlography Bridges, Tunnels, Overpasses is formed by a holographic module integrated into the exhibition set. Visitors can use a rotary encoder knob placed on a pedestal in front of the decorated module to select one of the objects – well-known engineering structures of the city – and watch a 3D graphics video explaining its configuration and interesting details about its history and maintenance.
Concept visualization
The holographic effect is created by overlaying images of a high-resolution LED screen on a semi-transparent film and a rear projection.
3D CAD model
PITCH Engineering Department has carried out the calculations and design of the pseudohologram's optical system, the installation's support frame, automatic control system, power supply and multimedia equipment for the exhibit.
Fragments of project documentation
Among the tasks to be solved in the design process was to enable the installation and maintenance of the LED screen suspended above the semi-transparent film in the installation ceiling. The installation work was carried out within the highly limited space (by internal building set up and other exhibits). This meant that the installation of the LED screen and the holographic film was carried out inside an almost completely assembled exhibit, requiring a unique solution and mounting of the film frame on rails. The moveable frame has allowed the transfer between two positions: the assembly & maintenance position and the functional position.
Holographic film frame and projector
Among other challenges was the thermal management inside the body of the installation. The LED screen and the powerful projector located at the top of the installation generate a considerable amount of heat. The free exchange of air with the holographic chamber is not possible as there is a risk of dust deposition on the projection film. Therefore, an isolated air conditioning system was designed that ensures comfortable operation of the multimedia equipment.
Pedestal with encoder. Visualization and 3D CAD model
Another unique solution is the rotary encoder which is used as the main element for control and user interaction. The design and ergonomics of the installation required a knob with a large diameter (about 100 mm). Similar solutions are not available on the market. Hence, a unique BLDC motor based programmable encoder with Ethernet interface has been developed. The haptic feedback is ensured by electromagnetic interaction with the motor rotor (vector field control) and can be reprogrammed and/or dynamically changed during the operation.
Encoder prototype with electronics
The encoder is connected to the museum's system of control and monitoring (SUMO) via an implemented MQTT client. In sleep mode, the haptic feedback is switched off to save energy, as well as the controlled backlighting of the pedestal on which the encoder is placed. Real-time data exchange between the encoder and the Unity app which is run on the installation's media server is performed via the PUP9000 (Pitch Universal Protocol) developed in engineering department.
Control cabinet and media rack
The installation control system is based on a Siemens Simatic PLC. It ensures soft start-up of the LED screen, power supply monitoring and switching between modes. The operation of the installation is fully automated due to integration with the museum's system of control and monitoring (SUMO). The installation works in fully automatic mode, switching on and off according to a schedule. MQTT with a Siemens PLC based client implementation is used as a universal transport protocol for data exchange between the installation and the central control system.
Credits
Made in PITCH
Client: Sila Sveta
Head of development: Vladimir Makhnov
Technical management: Danil Gerasimenko
Mechanical engineer: Anatoly Krikunov
Process engineer: Vasily Kuraev
Multimedia and electrical engineer: Denis Korenkov
* Special thanks go to Alyona Kharitonova who was in charge of the content and visitor experience and helped to describe the ideas behind our technical solutions.
