[Experience] Through Naver 'Arcverse' to the Joseon Dynasty... A Two-Shot with King Sejong

Application of Digital Twin Technology 'Arcverse' at National Museum of Korea
Precise Indoor Positioning Without GPS... Navigation Like Car GPS
Vivid Artifact Reproduction with AR... Time Slip to Joseon Era

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] It is easy to get lost in a museum. When wandering through similarly looking indoor spaces, you might end up seeing the same artifact again or completely miss some exhibition halls. Although the curation is organized by era or theme, the viewing order can sometimes get mixed up. This is why arrows indicating the viewing route are painted on the floors of large museums.

Using the augmented reality (AR) navigation introduced by Naver Labs at the National Museum of Korea, you don’t have to worry about this. Naver integrated its digital twin technology 'Arcverse,' implemented in its second office building 1784, into the National Museum of Korea. By utilizing digital twin technology that transfers the real space entirely into a virtual one, the museum was recreated on a smartphone screen. I experienced the AR navigation, currently in beta service, on the 24th.

On the first floor of the museum, I received a smartphone with the service app installed. When I launched the app, a message appeared instructing me to scan the surroundings with the camera. After about 10 to 20 seconds, my location was displayed at the bottom of the screen. Selecting the rain gauge (Cheugugi) from the list of artifacts showed the route from my current location to the destination. Like a car navigation system, arrows guided the direction to go and displayed the remaining distance to the destination.

Following the colored guiding lines painted on the road, it seemed impossible to get lost by following the arrows on the screen. Sometimes, even after staring at a guide pamphlet for a long time, you don’t know your current location or direction, but having both your location and destination guidance together was convenient.

The reason navigation is possible indoors where satellite positioning systems (GPS) don’t reach is because the map was created using digital twin technology. A mapping robot equipped with a camera roams indoors taking photos to replicate the museum, and digital devices like robots or smartphones find their way by referring to the map inside the digital twin.

Choosing the AR tour program also offers a unique experience. First, I headed to the Oegyujanggak Uigwe, which is said to be the most popular among visitors. Upon arrival, a Bancha-do (procession painting) depicting King Yeongjo, the 21st king of Joseon, and Queen Jeongsun’s procession unfolded. The palanquin bearers carrying Queen Jeongsun’s palanquin were animated as a video. Although the exhibited Bancha-do is small and the colors are faded, the AR screen brought a scene from the Joseon era to life right before my eyes.

Heading to the Geunjeongjeon throne in the same Joseon hall, King Sejong appeared sitting solemnly. Standing in front of the throne, you can enter the Joseon era and take a 'two-shot' photo with King Sejong. This added an enjoyable element through technology to what could otherwise be a stiff museum visit.

It was also useful for educational purposes. When pointing at the rain gauge (Cheugugi), rain fell, water filled up, and the rainfall amount was displayed on the ruler scale. Even without reading the instructions on how it works or its principles, it helped intuitive understanding. For the comb-patterned pottery, a detailed view was implemented. Although it is difficult to discern the patterns through the glass window due to blurriness, the AR screen clearly showed nail patterns, triangle band patterns, and overlapping sawtooth patterns.

While it combined fun and usefulness, the dizziness typical of AR could not be avoided. After about an hour of finding my way and examining artifacts through the smartphone screen, I felt symptoms of motion sickness. To experience the AR navigation, you can apply on the National Museum of Korea website from the 5th to the 16th of next month.