First, when we say “smart museum,” we’re talking about a museum that uses tech to enhance facilities management, sustainability, and exhibitions.
Internet of Things (IoT) devices are smart, interconnected devices that monitor and communicate data in real-time and allow for such enhanced museum operations.
If you read about the recent digital transformation of the Wright Museum, you may remember that a contractor was brought in to laser scan the entire building and convert it into a detailed 3D model, which now serves as the digital twin from which to identify areas of improvement and stay ahead of issues.
But a huge overhaul project like the Wright Museum isn’t the only path to a smart museum. You can gradually scale up as budget and demands allow. IoT devices are vast and varied and can be a reasonable entry point into smart monitoring at your museum.
IoT Devices for Museums
IoT devices will act as your monitors, your data collectors. There are a few considerations in order for these to be effective at your institution:
- Sensors should be discreet, particularly those that will be situated close to objects on display.
- Data needs to be sent continuously — in real time — and integrated into your systems for notifications and record-keeping.
- Wireless sensors (compared to wired) reduce installation costs and offer flexibility in the event of layout changes.
- On that note, you’ll want your wireless sensors to have a long battery life.
- Be sure to inquire with vendors about data encryption and secure handling of the collected data.
- Opt for devices that staff will find easy to use and understand.
Let’s take a look at the types of sensors that can help streamline museum operations. Keep in mind that as technology advances, so will ALL of these sensors — the battery life, physical size, integration capabilities, etc. If there’s a sensor you think would be valuable, but the specs don’t quite align with your needs, put a pin in it and circle back at a later date.
Temperature and Humidity Sensors
Starting with the most obvious, these sensors monitor and maintain the climate within the museum to ensure optimal conditions for preserving artwork and artifacts and send alerts when the environment goes out of the desired range. You can also use this data to identify areas where energy can be saved.
Light Sensors and Lighting Systems
To protect objects that are sensitive to light exposure, use IoT light sensors to monitor and control lighting levels around exhibits to prevent damage (and again, to optimize energy usage). IoT-enabled lighting can adjust automatically based on the needs of specific exhibits. Example: You can set lights to dim in areas with light-sensitive artworks and brighten when visitors approach, saving energy while helping preserve the integrity of the items.
Air Quality Sensors
You can use sensors to track pollutants, dust, and other airborne particles that might harm objects on display. Or measure CO2 levels to ensure proper ventilation in gallery spaces for both the preservation of items and visitor comfort.
Water Leak Detectors
Water can come from anywhere — HVAC leaks, condensation, plumbing, weather. Leak detectors will send immediate alerts if water is detected, which means staff can respond immediately.
Smart Vibration Sensors
These sensors detect vibrations or shocks near fragile or valuable exhibits to ensure that they are not accidentally damaged due to nearby construction, heavy foot traffic, or other environmental disturbances.
Let’s pause to highlight smart facilities management:
A key benefit of IoT data collection? It allows you to be proactive in preventative maintenance rather than reacting to problems, or worse, having to defer maintenance. And using sensors in display and storage areas means improved control and the ability to make timely adjustments. Energy management sensors let you monitor and optimize HVAC, lighting, and electrical equipment, which can reduce the museum’s overall energy consumption and aid in your sustainability efforts. You can even find smart dispensers that track usage of things like hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and paper towels, and alert staff when they need refilling. At this point, there are too many benefits not to explore potential applications for building management.
People-Counting Sensors
A smart monitoring solution that tracks the number of visitors in real time. The sensors can also be used to measure dwell time in certain spaces, or how long a visitor spends in front of an object. Use this data for crowd control, optimizing exhibit layout, and understanding visitor flow and engagement with different sections of the museum. It’s also useful when building funding requests.
RFID and Bluetooth Tags
You’re likely familiar with this kind of sensory technology for object/asset tracking. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or Bluetooth tags can be attached to valuable pieces to track their location within the museum. Think of it as creating a unique and traceable digital fingerprint. This helps maintain security, especially when items are moved for exhibitions, storage, or conservation purposes.
Related read: The Art Of Exhibition: RFID In Museums And Galleries
Smart Security Systems
IoT-connected security cameras provide real-time monitoring of museum spaces. These cameras are often equipped with AI-based analytics, facial recognition, and motion detection. These newer security systems are more reliable, flexible, and responsive, and are generally considered easy to use compared to older systems.
You can also look into IoT-based access control (like the aforementioned RFID) to manage and track staff and/or visitor access to restricted areas.
Bluetooth Beacons
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons placed throughout the museum can interact with visitors’ smartphones, offering location-based services like digital guides, additional exhibit information, or suggestions for nearby exhibits based on visitor behavior.
Beacons are an interesting example of how technology can evolve in a relatively short time. In 2015 the Brooklyn Museum detailed the integration of Bluetooth beacons in The Realities of Installing iBeacon to Scale. If you’re considering beacons, I encourage you to read it, then follow up with more recent articles like Bluetooth Beacons in the Rijksmuseum (2019) and Indoor Content Delivery Solution for a Museum Based on BLE Beacons (2023).
No matter the size of your museum, you’ll want to keep an eye on developing IoT technology. Real-time data that can be monitored remotely is invaluable from an automation and facilities management perspective. When implemented successfully, it’s a boon for your budget. And IoT-enabled data collection has the power to enhance exhibition development, funding requests, sustainability initiatives, and operational efficiencies:
Real-time data reports also relieve staff members of the need to manually record environmental data. An IoT monitoring system can save an hour or more of staff time per day. Smaller institutions with real-time environmental monitoring are better positioned to host traveling exhibits of rare or fragile items that need precise temperature and humidity settings. (Source: IoT Helps Museums Save Art, Artifacts, Animals and Resources)
Further reading: Rethink Building Automation: An Anthem for Managers of Existing Buildings
