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The new extension of the Occupational Safety and Health Gallery in the Hong Kong Science Museum will be open to the public from tomorrow (March 14).
Jointly established by the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Occupational Safety and Health Gallery aims to enhance public awareness of occupational safety issues in the manufacturing industry, construction industry and office work stations through fascinating robotics and interactive exhibits. The new extension, making ample use of the avant-garde Augmented Reality (AR) as medium of presentation, will allow visitors to experience the importance of safety through scenes blending virtual objects with real objects.
The new gallery was officially opened today (March 13) by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, and the Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr Lee Kai-ming.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Chow said the gallery was established in 1998 with the support of the Occupational Safety and Health Council. The comprehensive information and interactive exhibits had not only raised public interest in, but also enhanced knowledge of safety and health at work.
"Following the growing awareness of occupational safety and health, the council proposed in 2004 to produce a new set of exhibits. At the preparatory stage, it was decided to present the exhibition with new concept and advanced technology making it more interesting through the wide use of interactive elements.
"We invited the Multimedia Innovation Centre of School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University to design a series of interactive exhibits, which apply Augmented Reality (AR) as medium of presentation. Combining computer generated virtual objects with real objects, AR allows visitors to manipulate the exhibits in real-time. They will be amazed by the real-life effects of the exhibits and through which learn the importance of occupational safety," Mr Chow said.
The new gallery features 10 exhibits. Some of them like Forklift, Wheel Barrow, Mobile Crane and Virtual Safety Officer are linked up with the models installed at the construction site of the gallery. By following the instructions, visitors can control the models to complete different tasks in an occupationally safe way.
The Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. It opens from 1pm to 9pm from Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays). Admission is $25 with half-price concession for full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
For details of the exhibition and related programmes, visit the Science Museum's website at http://hk.science.museum/. For enquiries, please call 2732 3232.
Ends/Thursday, March 13, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:01
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