Ark III Becomes the First Czech Project to Be Included in the Prestigious TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026
Ark III, a joint project of the National Museum and the Karel Komárek Family Foundation dedicated to protecting Ukraine’s cultural heritage, which is threatened by war, has been included in the prestigious TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026. The list showcases innovations that have a significant social impact and are changing the way people live, work, and respond to current challenges. Ark III is the result of a partnership between the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, which initiated and funded the project, and the National Museum, whose experts developed and implemented the technological solution and oversee its professional use. It is the first standalone Czech initiative ever selected for the list in its 26-year history.
How does Ark III work?
Ark III, now operating directly in Ukraine, is used for the 3D digitisation of valuable cultural artefacts. It combines two photogrammetric robots equipped with several cameras, which are housed in a specially modified Volkswagen Crafter. The first robot is installed inside the vehicle, while the second can be transported into museum premises, allowing the digitisation of objects that cannot be removed from their location because of their sensitivity, security considerations, or the risk of damage.
The originality of the solution, its effectiveness, innovativeness, and impact were among the criteria considered by TIME when evaluating nominations and compiling this year’s list. Nominations were submitted through an online application process and through recommendations from editors and correspondents around the world, with particular attention given to rapidly developing fields.
The full TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list is available at ti.me/best-inventions.
“Being included in the prestigious TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 recognises the long-term, sustained support we have provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s aggression. We see it as proof that our work on the Ark project has significance on a global scale. The innovative solution, made possible by the dedication and collaboration of the National Museum team, can serve other countries around the world as a model and enduring example of how to protect culture in times of crisis. The foundation provided the full CZK 18 million needed to develop the project.”
“The National Museum is a leading European museum institution that also applies its experience and expertise in protecting cultural heritage at home and abroad. Ark III is a tangible form of assistance to Ukraine at a time when its cultural heritage is threatened by Russian aggression. I greatly value our collaboration with the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, which demonstrates the outstanding results that cooperation between the public and private sectors can achieve. Recognition by TIME magazine is an exceptional honour for us.”
How does the National Museum contribute to the project?
As part of the joint project, the National Museum arranged the production of the Ark III mobile digitisation station and the development and implementation of the required technologies. Its experts prepared the digitisation methodology and provided training for Ukrainian specialists who use the equipment directly in the field. The National Museum also provides expert oversight of the station’s operation and of the management and use of the digital data, which are stored in a secure cloud environment. This allows the data to be used not only to document endangered collections and monuments, but also for specialist research and their possible future restoration.
“We value the international cooperation that made it possible to bring Ark III to life. The mobile unit has already been deployed at the Ancient Chernihiv National Architectural and Historical Reserve, where it was used for the digital documentation of cultural heritage. It is expected to visit the Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery in the near future.”
According to information from Ukraine, data is also continuing to be uploaded to the dedicated cloud storage, which is not yet publicly accessible for security reasons.
Ark III Is Complemented by Two Sister Projects
Ark III is not the Karel Komárek Family Foundation’s only initiative in its efforts to help protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage from the impacts of war.
In cooperation with the National Library of the Czech Republic, the Karel Komárek Family Foundation has just begun preparations for Ark II, which will digitise rare books and manuscripts in Ukraine. In addition to the foundation, individual donors and MND are contributing to the funding.
The partnership between the foundation and the National Library also made it possible to establish Ark I, a mobile conservation facility. Since January 2025, it has treated and stabilised 36,166 pages across 2,308 historical documents. Stanford Social Innovation Review previously selected the Ark project as one of 14 inspirational stories of 2025.
Learn more about the project at: arkforukraine.org
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