ELLIE’s Approach to Technology and the Internet of Senses

As the ELLIE Project continues to develop, we are not only building new technologies but also rethinking how existing ones can serve the display of history and heritage in new ways. By weaving together innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and the Internet of Senses (IoS), our aim is to create immersive, meaningful experiences that connect people with history in ways that are both accessible and engaging. Central to this mission is the belief that technology must always enhance, not diminish, the value of cultural heritage. A virtual tool, no matter how advanced, should never overwrite the authenticity of an artifact, a traditional practice, or a key moment in history. Instead, technology should amplify access, deepen understanding, and foster connection.

A key focus of this strategy within the ELLIE project is that The Internet of Senses (IoS) plays a central role in our vision. It expands the digital experience beyond sight and sound to include touch, more effective and engaging sounds, and even smell. For cultural heritage, this means that interactions with cultural objects and historical environments will no longer be limited to what can be seen or heard, but will instead become multi-sensory experiences. Visitors will not only observe history but participate in it, entering reconstructed spaces where the past becomes tangible, atmospheric, and real.

To illustrate, consider walking into the digital reconstruction of an ancient port city. Instead of only seeing its architecture or hearing the chatter of merchants, visitors could also smell the scent of spices, the wash of the seaside, and grimy smells of its people drifting through the air. Touch can also play a key role: haptic technology might allow visitors to feel the grooves of an ancient tablet or the intricate carvings of a medieval altarpiece without ever putting fragile artifacts at risk. Similarly, replicas enhanced with IoS technology could simulate not just the structure but the textures of these artifacts, whether the coldness of that stone tablet or the roughness of its surface, helping people experience history through their fingertips.

Alongside taste, soundscapes can also transform understanding: the chants of sailors working on old transatlantic vessels, the bustle of a Greek market fair, or the quiet hum of a 19th-century workshop all add atmosphere that connects us more deeply with cultural history. Combined together, these sensory layers create a holistic re-creation of the past and expand on the breadth of immersion that visitors and users can experience.

The value of these innovations lies in more than spectacle. They are essential for inspiring younger generations and engaging technologically focused communities who expect interaction and immersion. By connecting history to the senses, cultural experiences become more accessible, relatable, and memorable. They can also provide inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities—for example, enabling visually impaired visitors to “feel” objects through haptic tools or navigate exhibitions with richly layered soundscapes.

At its core, the ELLIE Project is about building bridges between past and present, tradition and innovation, people and culture. By integrating the Internet of Senses into cultural heritage, we aim to ensure that history is not only preserved but also felt, lived, and shared in ways that resonate across generations. Our ambition is not to replace the original value of artifacts and practices but to open new doors to them, creating experiences that are as educational as they are unforgettable.

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