The project HERITAGE-Ross: Robotic operated multi-sensor system for digital Cultural Heritage documentation and monitoring, aims to break new ground in the digital documentation and non-destructive monitoring of cultural heritage. Different sensors are to be integrated on an autonomous robot platform and enable measurements to be taken both indoors and outdoors. The field of application of the robotic system includes the digital documentation of endangered archaeological and architectural heritage, both in the field of cultural heritage research, monument preservation and the protection of cultural assets. Special attention is paid to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. In addition to long-term digital preservation using modern digital documentation methods, ongoing reviews of the state of preservation, the overall picture and the identification of threat scenarios are essential in order to meet the international obligations associated with World Heritage status.

Background

The documentation and monitoring of the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage represents an important social challenge. It is particularly important in relation to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where there are corresponding international obligations to preserve cultural heritage. Modern sensor technologies make it possible to carry out non-destructive surveys on the scale of entire landscapes, urban areas and even individual buildings or infrastructures. The previous achievements in the development of motorized and efficient measuring systems are to be supplemented by the procurement of new research infrastructure with innovative robot solutions that ensure the multimodal acquisition of sensor data on autonomous robot platforms. The benefits of the cooperative application of this infrastructure lie in cultural heritage research, monument protection, cultural property protection and research-related teaching.

The sustainable digital preservation of cultural heritage is not only a social challenge, but also an obligation in terms of national legislation and international conventions. In many cases, the authorities and governmental and semi-governmental institutions tasked with this are overwhelmed by this challenge in terms of funding and staffing. There is an urgent need to provide efficient technical solutions through innovative research and cooperative application-oriented development. The target groups range from state heritage and cultural property protection authorities, regional and local administrations to non-profit operating companies in cultural heritage management (i.e. higher education sector, state sector, private non-profit sector). The planned agile project management structures of the project are based on the integration of the target groups in the respective project phases.