“AKETH Pirates” Bring Ancient Greek Technology to the Future through VR

The AKETH Pirates robotics team of the Development Center of Thessaly (AKETH), continuing its successful course, is preparing this year for the global FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge competition with the theme UNEARTHED.

This year's "Innovation Project" of the team, titled "Ancient Tech Quest", aims to "excavate" the knowledge of the past and make it accessible to everyone through virtual reality (VR) technology.

The research journey began at the Municipal Library, where the students studied historical sources, and continued with on-site visits to emblematic places in our city, such as the Twin Ottoman Baths (in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Trikala), as well as the Kostas Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology.

As part of the evaluation and improvement of their proposal, AKETH Pirates presented their project to Special Education teachers and citizens of Trikala. Feedback from the local community was crucial. Through these meetings, the team focused on creating a tool that promotes inclusion, incorporating:

- Audio narration and visual cues for students with learning disabilities.

- Gamification, transforming the user into an “ancient mechanic” without the pressure of time and stress.

As the team members stated: “Our goal is for technology to function as a bridge. With VR, the user does not just see an exhibit behind a display case, but touches it and assembles it, experiencing knowledge.”

The AKETH Pirates prove once again that robotics in Trikala is not just about programming, but also about collaboration, social sensitivity and the promotion of our cultural heritage.