In the heart of the Belgian city Roeselare, in the historic De Sint-Amandskerk, The Art Hour (Het Kunstuur) collaborated with Painting with Light, a leading specialist in the design and production of total visual experiences, to transform the church into a unique and accessible, fully immersive experience.

To provide seamless interaction between visitors, the art on display, and the venue itself, PWL used Brainboxes industrial Ethernet to Remote IO modules to facilitate various functionalities within the immersive experience system.

Designed with sustainability and cost-efficiency in mind, Brainboxes products provide a robust solution for integrating digital inputs and outputs, serving as the interface between physical devices and the control system.

A key function of the remote IO Brainboxes is their ability to handle digital inputs from various sources, such as switches, buttons, and sensors. In the Het Kunstuur Roeselare installation, digital inputs for show activation and door control, triggered by operator inputs, visitor interactions, or environmental cues, were processed efficiently, allowing for precise control of multimedia effects and interactive elements throughout the immersive experience.

In addition to receiving inputs, the remote IO Brainboxes can control digital outputs, including relays and actuators. This capability enabled PWL to orchestrate complex sequences of events, such as lighting effects, moving elements, and audiovisual cues, to create a fully immersive and synchronized show. This seamless orchestration of inputs and outputs is just one aspect of Brainboxes’ versatility.

“Brainboxes are reliable; they just work and are easy to integrate with the industry-specific software systems we use”

Michiel Vanderhenst, PWL Project Manager and Technical Specification Engineer

The versatility of the Brainboxes extends to their seamless integration with various software systems and programming languages used across varied industries and sectors. Whether it’s Visual Basic, C#, or custom software developed for the immersive entertainment industry, the Remote IO modules provide comprehensive APIs for easy integration, empowering engineers to design creative systems that bring their vision to life with precision and efficiency.

For PWL, Brainboxes modules integrated with the system’s software to translate inputs into actionable commands, enabling the precise execution of lighting, video effects, and exhibit interactions based on operator inputs and predefined scripts. By synchronizing all elements of the installation, the Brainboxes help to maintain the flow of the one-hour tour, ensuring the flawless timing of lighting changes, holographic displays, and venue ambiance designed by the PWL team to create a cohesive and fully immersive experience for visitors.

The ability to integrate physical devices with digital control systems opens up possibilities for a wide range of applications across industries, extending the benefits far beyond immersive museum experiences. For example, in manufacturing, Brainboxes automate production lines by translating sensor inputs into precise control commands for machinery, whilst in building management, they can integrate with HVAC systems or security setups to deliver smarter, more efficient operations. This capability not only elevates the visitor experience but also addresses critical operational challenges in industrial environments, where precision and reliability are paramount.

Critical to the success of any installation is the reliability and robustness of the control system. For PWL, Brainboxes provided the backbone for an installation that blended art and technology, converging the past and the present to create a unique and fully automated immersive  experience. In this sense, Het Kunstuur is not just an example of technical innovation but also a demonstration of how technology can enhance cultural heritage, making it accessible to wider audiences.

By bridging the gap between hardware and software, Brainboxes enables designers and engineers to transform ideas into reality, setting high standards for interactive design in the immersive industry and beyond. Whether it’s orchestrating a light show in a historic church or automating a cutting-edge factory, the possibilities are limited only by imagination.