Museum Technology & Interactive Exhibit Services
Transform static exhibits into immersive experiences that engage digital-first audiences
At Knabe Labs, we partner with museums to bring stories to life. Based in Ardmore, PA, our cross-industry expertise from entertainment venues to cultural institutions enables us to seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technology with museum-quality reliability.
We build experiences that matter, with people who make it fun.
Why Museums Partner with Knabe Labs
Cross-Industry Innovation
Our work spans museums, escape rooms, haunted houses, film, and theater. This diverse experience gives us a unique perspective on visitor engagement—we understand both the educational mission of museums and the proven strategies that captivate audiences in entertainment venues. This cross-pollination of ideas brings fresh, innovative solutions to museum challenges.
Visitor-Centric Technology
We design technology not as an end in itself, but as a subtle tool to enhance the visitor experience. From PLC programming and show control to Unity development and custom hardware fabrication, we handle every technical aspect while keeping the focus on creating hands-on, interactive learning experiences that transform passive observation into active participation.
Partnership from Concept to Completion
We’re partners throughout your entire journey, not just technology vendors. From initial conceptualization to ongoing support, we work closely with curators, exhibit designers, and museum staff to bring your vision to life. Our collaborative approach ensures seamless integration of technology that serves your story and mission.
Comprehensive Museum Technology Services
Consulting & Conceptualization
We begin by understanding your museum’s mission, audience, and goals. Through collaborative workshops and site assessments, we develop the technical roadmap and visitor journey that brings your exhibits to life. Our consulting process ensures technology seamlessly serves your educational objectives and storytelling vision.
Immersive Interactive Experiences
We create exhibits that transform passive observation into active participation, using technology to deepen visitor engagement and learning:
- Multi-touch interactive displays - Custom applications and kiosk development
- Sensor-based interactives - RFID, motion tracking, gesture recognition, and proximity sensors that respond to visitor presence
- Gamified learning experiences - Educational games and simulations that make discovery fun
- Motion-activated exhibits - Touchless interaction perfect for high-traffic museum environments
- Continuous-flow experiences - Automated exhibit sequences that guide visitors through compelling narratives
Audiovisual Integration & Media Systems
Professional AV solutions designed for the demanding museum environment, creating immersive storytelling experiences:
- Projection mapping & immersive environments - Edge-blended projection, dome projection, and panoramic video walls that transform spaces
- Advanced LED display integration - From discrete digital signage to large-scale immersive LED arrays (we’ve installed 500,000+ individually addressable LEDs)
- Multi-channel video playback - Synchronized media systems using industrial media servers
- Spatialized audio design - Directional speakers, haptic audio, and surround sound that envelops visitors in the story
- Museum control systems - PLC-based show control for bulletproof reliability, orchestrating lights, sound, video, and interactives in perfect synchronization
Custom Hardware & Software Development
We design and develop custom solutions from the ground up, tailored specifically for your museum’s unique needs:
Hardware Design & Fabrication
- Custom PCB design - Proprietary circuit boards for unique interactive solutions (a Knabe Labs specialty)
- Sensor integration & embedded systems - RFID readers, motion sensors, environmental monitoring
- Durable interactive props - Museum-grade components built to withstand continuous daily use
Software & Content Development
- Unity museum applications - Custom games, simulations, and 3D interactive experiences
- Touchscreen application development - Intuitive interfaces optimized for museum visitors of all ages
- Content management systems - Easy-to-update media scheduling and exhibit control
- Object recognition software - Interactive displays that respond to physical artifacts
- Web-based experiences - Extend the museum experience online
Philadelphia’s Museum Technology Partner
Located in Ardmore, PA, we’re proud to serve museums throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond. Our local presence means faster response times, onsite support when you need it, and a deep understanding of the regional museum landscape.
We’ve worked with museums, aquariums, educational centers, and cultural institutions creating interactive museum exhibits that educate and engage visitors while standing up to the rigors of daily public use.
The Knabe Labs Difference: Cross-Industry Innovation
While traditional museum technology vendors focus solely on cultural institutions, our diverse portfolio brings unexpected advantages:
From Escape Rooms, We Learned:
- Creating reliable, reset-ready systems that operate thousands of times
- Designing puzzles and interactives that engage visitors of all skill levels
- Building fail-safe mechanisms and redundancy for continuous operation
From Haunted Houses & Theatrical Productions:
- Delivering dramatic, synchronized effects that create wow moments
- Precision show control timing across lights, sound, video, and special effects
- Creating immersive environments that transport visitors into stories
From Film Production:
- Crafting custom props and interactive elements with production-quality standards
- Meeting aggressive deadlines without compromising quality
- Coordinating complex technical systems under pressure
Applied to Museums, This Means:
- Engagement expertise - Proven strategies to capture and hold visitor attention
- Bulletproof reliability - Systems designed for continuous daily operation, not occasional use
- Fresh innovation - Ideas from outside the traditional museum technology echo chamber
- Technical depth - PLC programming, custom hardware, and show control mastery
- Collaborative spirit - We genuinely enjoy solving complex challenges with creative partners
Museums need technology partners who understand both educational impact and audience engagement. We deliver both, with the added benefit of entertainment-industry innovation that makes exhibits truly memorable.
Museum Technology Projects & Case Studies
Our collaborative approach has powered innovative museum exhibits across the Northeast. These projects showcase how we translate technical complexity into visitor-centered experiences:
Auburn Aquarium - Escape Extinction
Interactive museum exhibit featuring comprehensive show control and continuous-flow experience design
- Technical scope: 5 connected rooms, 500 I/O points, PLC-based automation
- Museum technology: Custom Unity application, synchronized DMX lighting, automated exhibit sequences
- Key capability: Continuous-flow control system managing narrative progression for high-volume visitor throughput
- Learning outcome: Educational gaming experience teaching shark conservation through hands-on interactive technology
Disease Vector Education Center
Museum exhibit integrating interactive applications with synchronized environmental effects
- Technical scope: Custom Unity interactive museum application
- Museum technology: Synchronized DMX lighting tied to interactive displays, creating responsive audiovisual environment
- Key capability: Seamless integration of gaming mechanics with environmental storytelling
- Learning outcome: Engaging educational experience about mosquito biology through sensor-responsive interactives
Otherworld Philadelphia
Museum-quality immersive installation featuring half a million individually addressable LEDs
- Technical scope: 55 unique exhibition spaces, 40,000 sq. ft. installation footprint
- Museum technology: 500,000+ individually addressable LED arrays, robust control systems, multi-platform synchronization (TouchDesigner, microcontroller-based)
- Key capability: Large-scale power distribution and lighting control maintaining flawless performance across complex interactive landscape
- Scale & impact: System captivates hundreds of thousands of annual visitors with museum-grade reliability
Get Started with Your Museum Exhibit
Whether you’re planning a new interactive museum exhibit, upgrading existing technology, or need a museum technology partner for a complex installation, we’d love to hear about your project.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (215) 821-7635
Location: 63 W Lancaster Ave Suite 9, Ardmore, PA 19003
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of museums do you work with?
We’ve worked with aquariums, science centers, educational exhibits, and cultural institutions. Our museum technology solutions adapt to any museum type—from natural history to art museums to children’s discovery centers.
Do you only work with museums?
No! We also specialize in escape rooms, haunted houses, theatrical productions, and film. This cross-industry experience makes us stronger museum technology partners, bringing fresh ideas and proven reliability.
Where are you located?
We’re based in Ardmore, PA (Philadelphia area) and serve museums throughout the Northeast and beyond. We travel internationally for museum exhibit installations.
What makes Knabe Labs different from other museum technology vendors?
Our cross-industry expertise brings entertainment-industry innovation to museum-quality standards. We understand both engagement and education, reliability and creativity. Plus, we genuinely love what we do—building experiences that matter with people who make it fun.
Can you work with our exhibit design firm or museum vendor?
Absolutely! We regularly collaborate with exhibit designers, museum consultants, and fabrication vendors. We’re team players focused on bringing the vision to life.
What’s involved in museum exhibit maintenance?
We design systems for long-term maintainability with accessible service areas, standardized components, and comprehensive documentation. We provide ongoing museum technical support, remote troubleshooting, and onsite service as needed.
Knabe Labs - Philadelphia’s museum technology partner. We build interactive museum exhibits, museum AV systems, and custom exhibit hardware that educate, engage, and endure.