Loris Barbieri | Università della Calabria (original) (raw)

Papers by Loris Barbieri

Research paper thumbnail of Form and Function: Functional Optimization and Additive Manufacturing

Lecture notes in mechanical engineering, 2019

In these last years, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing, a deep review of the design metho... more In these last years, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing, a deep review of the design methodologies has occurred. This is mainly due to two reasons: the technological progress and the new manufacturing capabilities that offer designers much greater freedom for the creation of complex geometries; the modern engineering optimization tools that are spreading widely in the industrial design field, and offer new opportunities for searching a compromise between form and function. On the basis of these two reasons, the paper presents some reflections and exemplifications on the changes that new AM technologies, together with the optimization tools, are bringing in the design process.

Research paper thumbnail of An Ocean of Science: an educational laboratory approach for the protection and preservation of the marine environment

Research paper thumbnail of Methods and tools for topology optimization systems integration within the product development process

Dottorato di Ricerca in Ingegneria Meccanica, XXIII Ciclo,2010Università della Calabri

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Tour in the Sunken “Villa Con Ingresso a Protiro” Within the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Benchmarking Built-In Tracking Systems for Indoor AR Applications on Popular Mobile Devices

Sensors

As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality... more As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality (AR) has the potential to radically change the way users interact with real environments enriched with various digital information. To achieve this potential, it is of fundamental importance to track and maintain accurate registration between real and computer-generated objects. Thus, it is crucially important to assess tracking capabilities. In this paper, we present a benchmark evaluation of the tracking performances of some of the most popular AR handheld devices, which can be regarded as a representative set of devices for sale in the global market. In particular, eight different next-gen devices including smartphones and tablets were considered. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory by adopting an external tracking system. The experimental methodology consisted of three main stages: calibration, data acquisition, and data evaluation. The results of the experimentation showed t...

Research paper thumbnail of Benchmarking Built-In Tracking Systems for Indoor AR Applications on Popular Mobile Devices

Sensors, 2022

As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality... more As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality (AR) has the potential to radically change the way users interact with real environments enriched with various digital information. To achieve this potential, it is of fundamental importance to track and maintain accurate registration between real and computer-generated objects. Thus, it is crucially important to assess tracking capabilities. In this paper, we present a benchmark evaluation of the tracking performances of some of the most popular AR handheld devices, which can be regarded as a representative set of devices for sale in the global market. In particular, eight different next-gen devices including smartphones and tablets were considered. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory by adopting an external tracking system. The experimental methodology consisted of three main stages: calibration, data acquisition, and data evaluation. The results of the experimentation showed that the selected devices, in combination with the AR SDKs, have different tracking performances depending on the covered trajectory.

Research paper thumbnail of Guidelines for an efficient integration of Computer Aided Innovation with Optimization and PLM systems

Research paper thumbnail of Exhibit supports for sandstone artifacts designed through topology optimization and additive manufacturing techniques

Journal of Cultural Heritage, Jun 2022

In the Cultural Heritage field, the choice of materials and exhibit structures is essential to pr... more In the Cultural Heritage field, the choice of materials and exhibit structures is essential to properly house and support artifacts without causing damage or deterioration. This problem is even more evident in the case of finds made of stone for which, due to their weight, a proper selection and dimensioning of the relative supports is required. In fact, without adequate support, this can result in stress concentrations that could compromise the artifact's state of conservation. As a consequence, more often such exhibition supports are customized items, that are designed and manufactured to meet specific functional and artistic setup needs.
In this context, the paper presents a design approach that combines topology optimization and additive manufacturing techniques to develop customized support structures which undertake the twofold purpose of preserving the artifact and making it available for the exhibition in the museum. The proposed approach has been assessed through the case study of a sandstone Ionic capital hosted in the Brettii & Enotri Museum in Cosenza (Italy). The proposed approach is therefore meant as a guideline for the design of customized exhibit supports especially in the case of sandstone artifacts with a complex shape or a conservation condition that requires specific attention.

Research paper thumbnail of A Handheld Mobile Augmented Reality Tool for On-Site Piping Assembly Inspection

Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, 2019

In the context of Industry 4.0, Augmented Reality occupies an important role thanks to its unique... more In the context of Industry 4.0, Augmented Reality occupies an important role thanks to its unique capability to enhance the perception of the real world with virtual information.

Research paper thumbnail of Dive in the Past: A Serious Game to Promote the Underwater Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean Sea

Heritage, 2021

In the last decades, the popularity of video games has been increasing thanks to their unique abi... more In the last decades, the popularity of video games has been increasing thanks to their unique ability to engage their audience and create empathy. Among them, serious games have additional purposes besides entertainment, such as learning and behaviour change. Serious games, in fact, have been successfully applied to different fields, including education, health, tourism, and cultural heritage. In this context, the paper describes a novel serious game developed for increasing awareness and promoting the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH). In particular, the paper focuses on the Dive in the Past Serious Game which allows users to simulate a virtual dive into the Mediterranean Sea to explore accurate and life-sized 3D reconstructions of underwater archaeological sites. The purpose of the game is twofold: to engage diver and non-diver tourists into a virtual interactive exploration of underwater sites through digital storytelling and challenges; to increase awareness and knowledge on Me...

Research paper thumbnail of Nuove tecnologie per la documentazione e lavalorizzazione dei siti archeologici subacquei: ilcaso studio del relitto ‘Punta Scifo D’ (Crotone)

Il patrimonio culturale sommerso. Ricerche e prospettive per il futuro dell'archeologia subacquea in Italia, Udine, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of A Fast Scanning System for Automatic 3D Object Reconstruction

Research paper thumbnail of Performance-Driven Engineering Design Approaches Based on Generative Design and Topology Optimization Tools: A Comparative Study

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Reality Technologies for the Exploitation of Underwater Cultural Heritage

Latest Developments in Reality-Based 3D Surveying and Modelling, 2018

The Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) represents a resource with huge, but yet largely unexploit... more The Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) represents a resource with huge, but yet largely unexploited, potentials for the maritime and coastal tourism. In the last 10 years, national and international government authorities are supporting and strengthening research activities and development strategies, plans and policies to make underwater archaeological sites' exploitation more sustainable and accessible to large-scale tourism. To this end, the paper presents an outcome of the Virtual and augmented exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites (VISAS) project that allows users to explore underwater archaeological sites. In particular, the virtual diving system combines the advantages offered by Virtual Reality (VR) technologies and the latest three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques to create virtual tours for the exploitation of the UCH. User studies' results demonstrate that the proposed VR system is able to provide a playful learning experience, with a high emotional impact, and it has been well appreciated by a large variety of audiences, even by younger and inexperienced users.

Research paper thumbnail of Design of Automotive Components Using Advanced Cae Systems

Simulation and other computer aided tools are often used in automotive design, since the design p... more Simulation and other computer aided tools are often used in automotive design, since the design process is strictly oriented to the optimization of the performances through an iterative synthesis and analysis cycle aimed to understand the effects of changes in the geometry and layout of the various components. The search for the optimal performances is at the moment carried out empirically by the “trial and error” approach because parameters and constraints are too many for a global optimization of the vehicle dynamics to be performed. Nevertheless it is possible to introduce in the current design process some optimization algorithms or tools that can guide the designer in the decision process. This paper presents a methodology, applied to the conceptual design of the upright for a Formula SAE prototype, in which a multi-body simulator, CAD and a topological optimization tool are sinergically employed in order to support the suspension design.

Research paper thumbnail of Underwater Power Tools for In Situ Preservation, Cleaning and Consolidation of Submerged Archaeological Remains

In situ protection and conservation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage are now considered a prim... more In situ protection and conservation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage are now considered a primary choice by the scientific community to be preferred, when possible, over the practice of recovery. The conservation of the artefacts within their environmental context is essential in fact for a correct interpretation of archaeological presences and to preserve their true value intact for future generations. However, this is not an easy task because modern technological equipment is necessary to make the work carried out by underwater restorers and archaeologists faster and more efficient. To this end, the paper presents three innovative underwater power tools for the cleaning, conservation, and consolidation activities to be performed in submerged archaeological sites. The first one is an underwater cleaning brush tool for a soft cleaning of the underwater archaeological structures and artefacts; the second one is a multifunctional underwater hammer drill suitable to be used as a cor...

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual museum system evaluation through user studies

Virtual museum (VM) systems are a very effective solution for the communication of cultural conte... more Virtual museum (VM) systems are a very effective solution for the communication of cultural contents, thanks to their playful and educational approach. In fact, these appealing technological systems have demonstrated their usefulness and value in science centres and traditional museums all over the world, thanks to the fact that visitors can view digitized artworks and explore reconstructed historical places by means of VM-hosted installations. This paper presents a methodology, based on user studies, for the comparative evaluation of different design alternatives related to the user interaction with VM systems. The methodology has been validated by means of a testbed related to a VM system hosted at the “Museum of the Bruttians and the Sea” of Cetraro (Italy). The results of the user study demonstrate that this methodology can be effectively adopted in the development process of VM systems to optimize its outcomes in terms of usability and potential for entertainment and education.

Research paper thumbnail of Project VISAS: Virtual and Augmented Exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites-Overview and First Results

Marine Technology Society Journal, 2016

VISAS (Virtual and Augmented Exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites) is a collaborative r... more VISAS (Virtual and Augmented Exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites) is a collaborative research project created to improve the responsible and sustainable exploitation of underwater archaeological sites. This strategic goal is reached through the development of three services. The first concerns the 3-D reconstruction of the underwater environment by using a methodology for optical and acoustic bathymetric data fusion. The second is based on a virtual reality system for dive session planning and 3-D exploration of the underwater site. Finally, the third service is intended to enrich the diving experience through a virtual guide running on an underwater tablet equipped with a hybrid tracking system. This paper provides a summary report of the project and an overview of the partial results achieved.

Research paper thumbnail of The CoMAS Project: New Materials and Tools for Improving the <I>In situ</I> Documentation, Restoration, and Conservation of Underwater Archaeological Remains

Marine Technology Society Journal, 2016

On November 2, 2001, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage ... more On November 2, 2001, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage provided a detailed state cooperation system and set out the basic principles for the protection of underwater cultural heritage. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 51 countries. One of the four main principles states that the In situ preservation of underwater cultural heritage should be considered as the first option before allowing or engaging in any further activities. In accordance with these principles and recommendations, in the last years many projects intended for developing and testing new techniques and tools to support In situ conservation of underwater archaeological remains have been funded and are now underway.This paper describes the contribution of the CoMAS project (In situ conservation planning of Underwater Archaeological Artifacts—http://www.comasproject.eu), funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR) and run by a partners...

Research paper thumbnail of User-centered design of a Virtual Museum system: a case study

Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, 2016

The paper describes a user-centered design (UCD) approach that has been adopted in order to devel... more The paper describes a user-centered design (UCD) approach that has been adopted in order to develop and build a virtual museum (VM) system for the “Museum of the Bruttians and the Sea” of Cetraro (Italy). The main goal of the system was to enrich the museum with a virtual exhibition able to make the visitors enjoy an immersive and attractive experience, allowing them to observe 3D archaeological finds, in their original context. The paper deals with several technical and technological issues commonly related to the design of virtual museum exhibits. The proposed solutions, based on an UCD approach, can be efficiently adopted as guidelines for the development of similar VM systems, especially when very low budget and little free space are unavoidable design requirements.

Research paper thumbnail of Form and Function: Functional Optimization and Additive Manufacturing

Lecture notes in mechanical engineering, 2019

In these last years, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing, a deep review of the design metho... more In these last years, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing, a deep review of the design methodologies has occurred. This is mainly due to two reasons: the technological progress and the new manufacturing capabilities that offer designers much greater freedom for the creation of complex geometries; the modern engineering optimization tools that are spreading widely in the industrial design field, and offer new opportunities for searching a compromise between form and function. On the basis of these two reasons, the paper presents some reflections and exemplifications on the changes that new AM technologies, together with the optimization tools, are bringing in the design process.

Research paper thumbnail of An Ocean of Science: an educational laboratory approach for the protection and preservation of the marine environment

Research paper thumbnail of Methods and tools for topology optimization systems integration within the product development process

Dottorato di Ricerca in Ingegneria Meccanica, XXIII Ciclo,2010Università della Calabri

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Tour in the Sunken “Villa Con Ingresso a Protiro” Within the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Benchmarking Built-In Tracking Systems for Indoor AR Applications on Popular Mobile Devices

Sensors

As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality... more As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality (AR) has the potential to radically change the way users interact with real environments enriched with various digital information. To achieve this potential, it is of fundamental importance to track and maintain accurate registration between real and computer-generated objects. Thus, it is crucially important to assess tracking capabilities. In this paper, we present a benchmark evaluation of the tracking performances of some of the most popular AR handheld devices, which can be regarded as a representative set of devices for sale in the global market. In particular, eight different next-gen devices including smartphones and tablets were considered. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory by adopting an external tracking system. The experimental methodology consisted of three main stages: calibration, data acquisition, and data evaluation. The results of the experimentation showed t...

Research paper thumbnail of Benchmarking Built-In Tracking Systems for Indoor AR Applications on Popular Mobile Devices

Sensors, 2022

As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality... more As one of the most promising technologies for next-generation mobile platforms, Augmented Reality (AR) has the potential to radically change the way users interact with real environments enriched with various digital information. To achieve this potential, it is of fundamental importance to track and maintain accurate registration between real and computer-generated objects. Thus, it is crucially important to assess tracking capabilities. In this paper, we present a benchmark evaluation of the tracking performances of some of the most popular AR handheld devices, which can be regarded as a representative set of devices for sale in the global market. In particular, eight different next-gen devices including smartphones and tablets were considered. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory by adopting an external tracking system. The experimental methodology consisted of three main stages: calibration, data acquisition, and data evaluation. The results of the experimentation showed that the selected devices, in combination with the AR SDKs, have different tracking performances depending on the covered trajectory.

Research paper thumbnail of Guidelines for an efficient integration of Computer Aided Innovation with Optimization and PLM systems

Research paper thumbnail of Exhibit supports for sandstone artifacts designed through topology optimization and additive manufacturing techniques

Journal of Cultural Heritage, Jun 2022

In the Cultural Heritage field, the choice of materials and exhibit structures is essential to pr... more In the Cultural Heritage field, the choice of materials and exhibit structures is essential to properly house and support artifacts without causing damage or deterioration. This problem is even more evident in the case of finds made of stone for which, due to their weight, a proper selection and dimensioning of the relative supports is required. In fact, without adequate support, this can result in stress concentrations that could compromise the artifact's state of conservation. As a consequence, more often such exhibition supports are customized items, that are designed and manufactured to meet specific functional and artistic setup needs.
In this context, the paper presents a design approach that combines topology optimization and additive manufacturing techniques to develop customized support structures which undertake the twofold purpose of preserving the artifact and making it available for the exhibition in the museum. The proposed approach has been assessed through the case study of a sandstone Ionic capital hosted in the Brettii & Enotri Museum in Cosenza (Italy). The proposed approach is therefore meant as a guideline for the design of customized exhibit supports especially in the case of sandstone artifacts with a complex shape or a conservation condition that requires specific attention.

Research paper thumbnail of A Handheld Mobile Augmented Reality Tool for On-Site Piping Assembly Inspection

Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, 2019

In the context of Industry 4.0, Augmented Reality occupies an important role thanks to its unique... more In the context of Industry 4.0, Augmented Reality occupies an important role thanks to its unique capability to enhance the perception of the real world with virtual information.

Research paper thumbnail of Dive in the Past: A Serious Game to Promote the Underwater Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean Sea

Heritage, 2021

In the last decades, the popularity of video games has been increasing thanks to their unique abi... more In the last decades, the popularity of video games has been increasing thanks to their unique ability to engage their audience and create empathy. Among them, serious games have additional purposes besides entertainment, such as learning and behaviour change. Serious games, in fact, have been successfully applied to different fields, including education, health, tourism, and cultural heritage. In this context, the paper describes a novel serious game developed for increasing awareness and promoting the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH). In particular, the paper focuses on the Dive in the Past Serious Game which allows users to simulate a virtual dive into the Mediterranean Sea to explore accurate and life-sized 3D reconstructions of underwater archaeological sites. The purpose of the game is twofold: to engage diver and non-diver tourists into a virtual interactive exploration of underwater sites through digital storytelling and challenges; to increase awareness and knowledge on Me...

Research paper thumbnail of Nuove tecnologie per la documentazione e lavalorizzazione dei siti archeologici subacquei: ilcaso studio del relitto ‘Punta Scifo D’ (Crotone)

Il patrimonio culturale sommerso. Ricerche e prospettive per il futuro dell'archeologia subacquea in Italia, Udine, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of A Fast Scanning System for Automatic 3D Object Reconstruction

Research paper thumbnail of Performance-Driven Engineering Design Approaches Based on Generative Design and Topology Optimization Tools: A Comparative Study

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Reality Technologies for the Exploitation of Underwater Cultural Heritage

Latest Developments in Reality-Based 3D Surveying and Modelling, 2018

The Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) represents a resource with huge, but yet largely unexploit... more The Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) represents a resource with huge, but yet largely unexploited, potentials for the maritime and coastal tourism. In the last 10 years, national and international government authorities are supporting and strengthening research activities and development strategies, plans and policies to make underwater archaeological sites&#39; exploitation more sustainable and accessible to large-scale tourism. To this end, the paper presents an outcome of the Virtual and augmented exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites (VISAS) project that allows users to explore underwater archaeological sites. In particular, the virtual diving system combines the advantages offered by Virtual Reality (VR) technologies and the latest three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques to create virtual tours for the exploitation of the UCH. User studies&#39; results demonstrate that the proposed VR system is able to provide a playful learning experience, with a high emotional impact, and it has been well appreciated by a large variety of audiences, even by younger and inexperienced users.

Research paper thumbnail of Design of Automotive Components Using Advanced Cae Systems

Simulation and other computer aided tools are often used in automotive design, since the design p... more Simulation and other computer aided tools are often used in automotive design, since the design process is strictly oriented to the optimization of the performances through an iterative synthesis and analysis cycle aimed to understand the effects of changes in the geometry and layout of the various components. The search for the optimal performances is at the moment carried out empirically by the “trial and error” approach because parameters and constraints are too many for a global optimization of the vehicle dynamics to be performed. Nevertheless it is possible to introduce in the current design process some optimization algorithms or tools that can guide the designer in the decision process. This paper presents a methodology, applied to the conceptual design of the upright for a Formula SAE prototype, in which a multi-body simulator, CAD and a topological optimization tool are sinergically employed in order to support the suspension design.

Research paper thumbnail of Underwater Power Tools for In Situ Preservation, Cleaning and Consolidation of Submerged Archaeological Remains

In situ protection and conservation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage are now considered a prim... more In situ protection and conservation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage are now considered a primary choice by the scientific community to be preferred, when possible, over the practice of recovery. The conservation of the artefacts within their environmental context is essential in fact for a correct interpretation of archaeological presences and to preserve their true value intact for future generations. However, this is not an easy task because modern technological equipment is necessary to make the work carried out by underwater restorers and archaeologists faster and more efficient. To this end, the paper presents three innovative underwater power tools for the cleaning, conservation, and consolidation activities to be performed in submerged archaeological sites. The first one is an underwater cleaning brush tool for a soft cleaning of the underwater archaeological structures and artefacts; the second one is a multifunctional underwater hammer drill suitable to be used as a cor...

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual museum system evaluation through user studies

Virtual museum (VM) systems are a very effective solution for the communication of cultural conte... more Virtual museum (VM) systems are a very effective solution for the communication of cultural contents, thanks to their playful and educational approach. In fact, these appealing technological systems have demonstrated their usefulness and value in science centres and traditional museums all over the world, thanks to the fact that visitors can view digitized artworks and explore reconstructed historical places by means of VM-hosted installations. This paper presents a methodology, based on user studies, for the comparative evaluation of different design alternatives related to the user interaction with VM systems. The methodology has been validated by means of a testbed related to a VM system hosted at the “Museum of the Bruttians and the Sea” of Cetraro (Italy). The results of the user study demonstrate that this methodology can be effectively adopted in the development process of VM systems to optimize its outcomes in terms of usability and potential for entertainment and education.

Research paper thumbnail of Project VISAS: Virtual and Augmented Exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites-Overview and First Results

Marine Technology Society Journal, 2016

VISAS (Virtual and Augmented Exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites) is a collaborative r... more VISAS (Virtual and Augmented Exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites) is a collaborative research project created to improve the responsible and sustainable exploitation of underwater archaeological sites. This strategic goal is reached through the development of three services. The first concerns the 3-D reconstruction of the underwater environment by using a methodology for optical and acoustic bathymetric data fusion. The second is based on a virtual reality system for dive session planning and 3-D exploration of the underwater site. Finally, the third service is intended to enrich the diving experience through a virtual guide running on an underwater tablet equipped with a hybrid tracking system. This paper provides a summary report of the project and an overview of the partial results achieved.

Research paper thumbnail of The CoMAS Project: New Materials and Tools for Improving the <I>In situ</I> Documentation, Restoration, and Conservation of Underwater Archaeological Remains

Marine Technology Society Journal, 2016

On November 2, 2001, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage ... more On November 2, 2001, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage provided a detailed state cooperation system and set out the basic principles for the protection of underwater cultural heritage. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 51 countries. One of the four main principles states that the In situ preservation of underwater cultural heritage should be considered as the first option before allowing or engaging in any further activities. In accordance with these principles and recommendations, in the last years many projects intended for developing and testing new techniques and tools to support In situ conservation of underwater archaeological remains have been funded and are now underway.This paper describes the contribution of the CoMAS project (In situ conservation planning of Underwater Archaeological Artifacts—http://www.comasproject.eu), funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR) and run by a partners...

Research paper thumbnail of User-centered design of a Virtual Museum system: a case study

Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, 2016

The paper describes a user-centered design (UCD) approach that has been adopted in order to devel... more The paper describes a user-centered design (UCD) approach that has been adopted in order to develop and build a virtual museum (VM) system for the “Museum of the Bruttians and the Sea” of Cetraro (Italy). The main goal of the system was to enrich the museum with a virtual exhibition able to make the visitors enjoy an immersive and attractive experience, allowing them to observe 3D archaeological finds, in their original context. The paper deals with several technical and technological issues commonly related to the design of virtual museum exhibits. The proposed solutions, based on an UCD approach, can be efficiently adopted as guidelines for the development of similar VM systems, especially when very low budget and little free space are unavoidable design requirements.

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Reality Technologies for the Exploitation of Underwater Cultural Heritage

The Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) represents a resource with huge, but yet largely unexploit... more The Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) represents a resource with huge, but yet largely unexploited, potentials for the maritime and coastal tourism. In the last 10 years, national and international government authorities are supporting and strengthening research activities and development strategies, plans and policies to make underwater archaeological sites' exploitation more sustainable and accessible to large-scale tourism. To this end, the paper presents an outcome of the Virtual and augmented exploitation of Submerged Archaeological Sites (VISAS) project that allows users to explore underwater archaeological sites. In particular, the virtual diving system combines the advantages offered by Virtual Reality (VR) technologies and the latest three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques to create virtual tours for the exploitation of the UCH. User studies' results demonstrate that the proposed VR system is able to provide a playful learning experience, with a high emotional impact, and it has been well appreciated by a large variety of audiences, even by younger and inexperienced users.