When VR Meets Naval History: Péter Rendes and His Team Curate an Immersive Exhibition in Budapest

Recently, the Budapest Natural History Museum officially launched an immersive exhibition themed around the 1917 Battle of the Strait of Otranto. The exhibition was carefully curated by a team led by Péter Rendes, Vice President of the China-CEE Technology Exchange Association and founder of InnoTeq. By seamlessly blending historical storytelling with cutting-edge technology, the exhibition offers visitors a vivid, time-traveling experience of this pivotal naval battle from over a century ago.

As a highlight of the exhibition, the InnoTeq team independently developed a VR warship simulator that digitally recreates the SMS Novara, a Novara-class scout cruiser of the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I, built by the Danubius Shipyard. Visitors can use interactive devices to become a “warship commander,” navigating this legendary vessel through a 3D dynamic hydrographic map. They can immerse themselves in the critical tactical decisions of the 1917 Battle of the Strait of Otranto — from planning the route to break through the Allied blockade to making real-time judgments against enemy submarines and mines — experiencing firsthand the intensity and grandeur of naval warfare from a century ago.

Péter Rendes, speaking about the exhibition’s design concept, said the team is committed to bringing history to life through technology: “We don’t just want to recreate battle scenes; we want visitors to ‘feel’ the weight of historical decisions. VR technology is not just a visual display—it’s a bridge that makes history interactive and immersive.” This collaboration also highlights the role of the Central and Eastern Europe-China Science and Technology Exchange Association as a key connector in promoting cross-regional integration of science, culture, and technology, showcasing the unique value of Hungary’s naval history to the world through innovative technology.