Showcasing our collections: Queensland Museum’s Mobile 3D Digitisation Lab 

Queensland Museum recently installed a Mobile Photogrammetry Rig in our QMK Photography Studio on Level 5. The prototype of this innovative rig, affectionately known as ‘Mo-Pho’, began capturing detailed 3D scans of collection items during 2025 for a week.  

A person adjusting camera equipment in a dark studio, with multiple cameras set up for a photoshoot.
Photogrammetry of collection items . Image: Lee Wilkes

Part of the museum’s ARC-funded LIEF project with QUT, the Mo-Pho rig is a multi-camera system with eight cameras and automated capabilities, the rig is fully mobile and compact enough to fit in the back of a small van. Its mobility allows Queensland Museum to digitise objects efficiently while minimising setup time – a game-changer for collections research and public access. 

A photography setup featuring multiple cameras positioned beside a bright, vertical light source.
Mo-Pho Rig. Image: Lee Wilkes

Recently, the first Mo-Pho build travelled to the Australian Museum in Sydney, where Adjunct Research Fellow Digital Initiatives, Dr David Pyle, collaborated with AM’s Thomas Peachy to scan challenging items, including rare minerals from across the globe. Using  technologies like Gaussian Splat rendering, the team captured extraordinary detail in just minutes.  

A green glass bottle on a black cloth, displayed on a rotating stand against a bright white background.
Photographing a Roman glass bottle. Image: Lee Wilkes

While at Queensland Museum, the rig was focussed on items from the museum’s Cultures and Histories collections. High-resolution 3D models will eventually be made available online, giving the public new ways to  access our treasures from anywhere in the world. But for now, enjoy some behind-the-scenes photography of the Mo-Pho in action, providing a glimpse into the digitisation process. 

A man in a baseball cap and glasses examines a small sculpture under a professional photography setup, with cameras and equipment surrounding him.
Dr Pyle photographing an Egyptian clay vessel. Image: Lee Wilkes

“The Mo-Pho rig is designed for efficiency, accessibility, and portability,” says Dr Pyle. “Its combination of multi-camera capture and automated processes makes 3D digitisation more practical than ever for museum collections. We’re excited about the potential for public engagement and research.” 

A clay pottery vase is positioned on a turntable, surrounded by multiple cameras and bright light panels for photography or scanning.
Photographing an Egyptian clay vessel. Image: Lee Wilkes

Stay tuned as Queensland Museum brings collections to life online, making our rich cultural and natural heritage more accessible than ever through 3D technology. 

The Australian Research Council (ARC) funded LIEF project, Mobile 3D Digitsation Lab is a collaboration with Queensland Museum, QUT, UQ and the Australian Museum 

A man in a gray sweater and black gloves carefully examines an ancient artifact in a dimly lit environment, focused on detailing and preservation.
Photographing a Roman glass bottle. Image Lee Wilkes

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