The New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. Ideum worked closely with the aquarium to develop a compelling, multitouch, multiuser interactive installation that explores their conservation and research efforts. The aquarium is currently undergoing a major renovation including the renewal of the main entrance area where this installation is located.

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The interactive exhibit includes three vertically hung Ideum 65″ Presenter touch walls. The three expansive touch surfaces allow multiple visitors and families to interact simultaneously. Ideum developed the visually intriguing exhibit software in which visitors touch small image bubbles that float up from the bottom of each screen. Once a bubble is touched, a menu of related media items is presented. Visitors can choose to watch a short video or see additional images of marine animals on which the New England Aquarium conducts research.

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The ocean-like background of the exhibit is also interactive. As visitors move their hands across the screen, tiny bubbles follow each finger. Each high-resolution screen can handle up to 32 simultaneous touch points.

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Ideum developed the exhibit software within the Open Exhibits (formerly GestureWorks Flash) framework. It includes a custom Web-based content management system and the content elements, developed by the New England Aquarium, are fully editable and extensible. You can learn more about the New England Aquarium on their website.