At the Marine Technology Research Unit, we harness the power of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create immersive experiences that bring marine environments and archaeological discoveries to life. By combining gaming technology with innovative storytelling, our VR and AR projects enable users to explore the depths of the ocean, interact with coral ecosystems, and engage with underwater archaeological sites in ways that traditional methods simply cannot match. Leveraging platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine, our team designs realistic and interactive virtual environments that deepen understanding and appreciation for marine conservation and submerged heritage.
One of our primary applications of 3D immersion lies in marine conservation. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and other vital marine habitats are often hidden from public view, making it challenging to communicate the urgency of protecting these ecosystems. Our VR and AR experiences bridge this gap by allowing users to virtually “dive” into marine habitats, observe the diversity of life they support, and understand the challenges they face. From VR scuba diving experiences to AR coral restoration simulations, we provide immersive platforms that foster a tangible connection between people and the ocean.
Using realistic 3D models created through photogrammetry and other imaging techniques, we can represent these habitats with remarkable detail, showing everything from coral textures to fish movements in a way that feels true to life. These immersive experiences are invaluable for education and outreach, inspiring the next generation of marine stewards and bringing critical conservation messages to a global audience.
The submerged relics of human history are another focus of our VR and AR initiatives. Through immersive virtual games and interactive reconstructions, we bring underwater archaeological sites to the surface, allowing users to explore these sites without ever getting wet. These virtual tours can include annotated models, guided narration, and interactive elements that explain the history, context, and cultural significance of each site.
VR offers a unique way to present these fragile sites to the public while preserving them in their natural state. Users can virtually navigate around a historic shipwreck, inspect its details, and even view it from multiple angles, experiencing the history in an interactive and accessible format. Through VR, underwater archaeology becomes an engaging educational tool that makes cultural heritage accessible to people worldwide.
Gaming plays a central role in creating engaging and impactful VR and AR experiences, and we develop interactive marine simulations and archaeological explorations using industry-leading game engines. These platforms enable us to build detailed environments and incorporate realistic physics and AI-driven behaviours, creating lifelike underwater ecosystems and archaeological sites.
With Unity and Unreal Engine, we create interactive storytelling experiences where users can “swim” through reefs, monitor species diversity, or search for ancient artefacts in realistic settings. The blend of gaming and science allows users to learn about marine biology, conservation, and history in an engaging and memorable way. By turning these subjects into immersive experiences, we aim to make learning enjoyable and impactful, promoting awareness and understanding through play.
Our VR and AR projects extend beyond education and outreach, also serving as valuable tools for researchers and collaborators. By creating shared virtual environments, we enable scientists, conservationists, and archaeologists to study marine ecosystems and submerged sites together, regardless of location. Through VR, research teams can explore high-resolution reconstructions of coral reefs or shipwrecks, make real-time observations, and even simulate changes over time to assess potential impacts of climate change or human activity.
These shared virtual spaces foster interdisciplinary collaboration and open new avenues for research. Teams can examine 3D models and simulations collaboratively, make annotations, and conduct interactive experiments, accelerating progress in conservation and archaeology.
As VR and AR technologies continue to advance, the possibilities for immersive experiences in marine science and underwater archaeology expand. We’re excited to explore new applications, including real-time environmental monitoring, advanced educational games, and even virtual laboratories that simulate oceanic processes. Our team is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in 3D immersion, developing tools that not only educate and engage but also contribute directly to the study and preservation of marine ecosystems and submerged cultural heritage.