This'll blow your mind: live chat with a porcupine fish

Museumgoers in Portsmouth are being invited to converse and interact with a porcupine fish (also known as a blowfish) in a one-day event.

Researchers and students from the University of Portsmouth have developed an interactive experience featuring the taxidermy sea creature at Cumberland House Natural History Museum.

People will be able to chat live with a digitised version of the blowfish on Tuesday (24 October) thanks to technology developed within the University’s Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR) photogrammetry suite.

Using real-time motion-capturing and “Wizard-of-Oz” methods, a team was able to animate scans of taxidermy artefacts from the museum and create the illusion that they have been brought to life. The process involves an individual controlling the speech and facial expressions of the animation from a remote location using Animaze software. 

Dr Argenis Ramirez Gomez, from the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Museums are a great place to learn and explore, and we’re always looking for new ways to help get more people through the doors. Interactive technology has the potential to make people more interested in ordinary objects.

“And what better way to engage visitors, than to give them the opportunity to learn about history and heritage right from the blowfish’s mouth. 

“It’s important to say that the project itself was the idea of a group of students, so a fantastic example of how young people are eager to support their local community."

The idea for the blowfish avatar came from a project last year. Four students (Andrea, Daniel, Reuben and Sulachya) created the HoloRoom experience, which included talking to an animated animal, again using the Animaze software, as part of their assessment for the module Interaction Design.

Drago Rangelov, who recently graduated from the University with a BSc degree in Computer Animation and Visual Effects, was tasked with developing the new avatar. He said: “It was a very unique way of bringing a taxidermied fish to life, I'll never forget the experience!”

The project has been funded by the University’s Heritage Hub and School of Creative Technologies, as part of a series of collaborations within the cultural sector which encourage the adoption of future and emerging technologies.

The Heritage Hub brings together researchers and professionals to tackle key issues in heritage and heritage conservation locally, nationally and internationally. It has supported several projects across Portsmouth and Hampshire, including with the Mary Rose Museum, Fishbourne Roman Palace, and Hilsea Lido.

Dr Claire Bailey-Ross, Associate Dean (Academic) within CCI, said: “Digital literacy of the museum workforce, particularly in smaller local and regional museums, remains one of the main challenges within the sector. 

“This project will have a significant impact on the staff and volunteers at Cumberland House, as it will provide expertise and skills to approach and introduce digital and immersive experiences for everyone to enjoy.”

Christine Tayor, Curator of Natural History at Portsmouth Museums, added: "Museums are always keen to embrace new ways of interpreting objects and working with the University of Portsmouth has proved an exciting opportunity to trial a new visitor experience. 

“It has been fascinating following the process from the initial scan of the porcupine fish to the final animated results on the screen. I am looking forward to seeing how visitors to Cumberland House Natural History Museum respond to the animated porcupine fish."