Making a splash with Augmented Reality.

Our latest augmented reality project brings to life the skeleton of Reyna, a 49-foot North Atlantic Right Whale suspended in the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The skeletons of Reyna and her unborn calf are transformed into lifelike animations that swim and surface before the visitors' eyes.

With fewer than 400 members of this critically-endangered species alive today, an eye-to-eye encounter is all but impossible — until now. Visitors use the tethered iPads to reveal the whale's 3D models, reconstructed with accurate markings based on reference from the NOAA Fisheries Right Whale archive. The experience raises awareness about the plight of whales facing extinction today.

The gallery is transformed into a maritime vista as Reyna dives into the water. Visitors can peer through the mezzanine window with the iPad to follow along as Reyna and her calf breach the surface and skim for plankton. The animation ends with the calf swimming to greet the visitor up-close before diving away with her mother.

When the animation ends, visitors are directed to the Whales Today exhibit to learn about threats to North Atlantic Right Whales, like entanglement and boat strikes. There, they can learn about New Bedford's efforts in environmental stewardship and how they can get involved. This immersive experience is made available to visitors in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.