A Study on the Application of Digital Interactive Technologies in Museum Exhibitions: A Case Study of VR, AR, and Video Installations

In the context of policy guidance and digital technology development, Chinese museums are undergoing a profound digital transformation. Focusing on the question of how digital interactive technologies mediate the relationship between cultural heritage and audience cognition, as well as their design logic and implementation challenges, this study employs a multi-case study approach, selecting representative digital projects in China in recent years (2023-2026) as analysis cases. Focusing on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and visual interactive installations, this study examines projects such as the National Museum of China’s “Data Story of the Rhinoceros Zun” and the Sanxingdui VR experience to analyze how 3D scanning, rendering, and immersive interactive technologies enable precise artifact reconstruction, transcend spatiotemporal constraints, and enhance audience cognitive engagement, thereby exploring the current applications and effectiveness of digital interactive technologies in museum exhibitions. It identifies ongoing challenges in museum digitization, including an overemphasis on infrastructure over maintenance, homogenization of exhibition content, and a lack of interdisciplinary expertise. Beyond surface-level technological applications, this study distills underlying design principles and proposes deepening the integration of technology with cultural storytelling, improving operational mechanisms, and fostering interdisciplinary talent development to facilitate a shift from “static display” to “dynamic interaction,” offering critical reflections on the sustainable development of smart museums.