National Museum of Korea Unveils AI Kiosk... "Providing Customized Services for People with Disabilities"

The National Museum of Korea announced on the 13th that it will provide a 'Smart Exhibition Hall with No Usage Barriers' service to visitors. The service features AI kiosks and mobile services that are convenient for people with disabilities.

Two kiosks have been installed on the first floor of the permanent exhibition hall, and one each on the second and third floors. Visually impaired visitors can obtain information through AI-based voice guidance and braille keypads at the kiosks inside the exhibition hall. Elderly visitors or those with low vision can easily access information through enlarged text on the screen and high-contrast color displays. Additionally, height adjustment functions via automatic sensors on the kiosks are provided for the convenience of wheelchair users and people of short stature.

Kiosk Main Function Screen
Photo by National Museum of Korea

Sign language services are also available for the hearing impaired. When a hearing-impaired person asks a question in sign language, a 3D sign language avatar responds in sign language according to the intent of the question. Not only simple facility guidance but also explanations about museum exhibits are provided through sign language avatars or sign language videos. The sign language search service is still in the early stages of development, and plans are in place to build a large amount of sign language learning data and analyze usage patterns to enhance the service.

Mobile phone linkage is also possible. By scanning the QR code on the kiosk screen, visitors can connect to the museum exhibition guide application (app), which includes a sign language chatbot function, recommended route guidance, and exhibit explanations.

Mobile Sign Language Chatbot Feature
Photo by National Museum of Korea

A museum official stated, “Starting with the National Museum of Korea, we plan to expand the establishment of smart exhibition halls to affiliated national museums nationwide to provide fair cultural access opportunities to culturally vulnerable groups living in local areas.” They added, “This year, systems will be established at the National Gyeongju Museum, National Gwangju Museum, and National Buyeo Museum, and services will be provided starting next year.”