Breaking Down Barriers: Connecting Hospitalised Patients to Museum Collections Through Telepresence Robotics

This paper explores the use of telepresence robotics to connect hospitalised patients with museum collections at the Imperial War Museums. Through a series of live trials, remote participants navigated gallery spaces using a wheeled robotic interface, guided by museum facilitators. The study evaluates whether telepresence can move beyond novelty to support meaningful object-based engagement comparable to in-gallery experiences. Findings demonstrate that guided facilitation, careful object selection, and adaptive interpretation are critical to success. While technical challenges were present—including spatial awareness limitations and connectivity issues—participants reported strong emotional and cognitive engagement, with some describing profound wellbeing impacts. The paper offers practical guidelines for institutions seeking to implement telepresence-based interpretation and argues that remote robotics can function as a viable inclusion strategy for audiences physically unable to visit heritage sites. It contributes to emerging research on hybrid presence, digital mediation, and equitable access in cultural institutions.