[Presence-evoking technology continues to advance toward the visions imagined in science fiction; note especially the possibilities for fully interactive videoconferencing and entertainment mentioned in this press release from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute. –Matthew]

[Image: Right in the middle of the action with VR glasses: A new camera system virtually represents people naturally and realistically. © Photo Fraunhofer HHI]

Beam me up to the video conference

When science fiction heroes communicate, they don‘t use landlines or cell phones. The caller simply appears in virtual form in the middle of the room; full sized and three dimensional. For researchers at Fraunhofer, this vision is already within reach: At the trade fairs IFA in Berlin (Hall 11.1, Booth 3) and IBC in Amsterdam (Hall 8, Booth 8.B80) they will show a new technology called “3D Human Body Reconstruction”.

September 1, 2016

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute, HHI in Berlin have developed a method by which the realistic image of a person can be transmitted in a virtual world; and just like in science fiction movies, the image appears full sized and three dimensional.… read more. “New HHI system allows realistic, full-size 3D human body reconstruction in virtual environments”

[Now you can experience America’s controversial political campaign in virtual reality; this story is from Next Reality, where it includes more images and a 0:29 minute video. –Matthew]

[Image: Virtual avatars of Hillary and Trump nearly make physical contact in virtual space. Will this someday mirror reality? Via AltspaceVR]

AltspaceVR’s Democracy Plaza Puts You in the Middle of the 2016 Election

Adam Dachis
September 22, 2016

Most of us don’t get the opportunity to see election coverage first hand, but with virtual reality, we’re not as restricted. AltspaceVR has teamed up with NBC News to let you log in on your computer or VR headset and actually take part in the action—just not physically.

AltspaceVR created a virtual Rockefeller Center Plaza where we can take our virtual avatars to get a front row seat of NBC News’ election coverage this year.… read more. “AltspaceVR’s Democracy Plaza puts you in the middle of the 2016 election”

[As this story from ScreenCrush notes, there are many factors that can ‘break’ presence in a movie theater, including the lack of proper screen masking. –Matthew]

A Small Issue at Movie Theaters Is Becoming a Major Problem

Matt Singer | September 19, 2016

People texting on their phones. Exorbitant ticket prices. People talking on their phones. Sound that’s either way too loud or way too soft. People taking pictures of the screen with their phones and then posting them to Facebook in the middle of the film. Going to the movies in 2016 can be a frustrating situation. An experience designed to take us away from our everyday troubles is now fraught with them.

For a lot of these problems, there’s no easy solution. But there’s one issue that I’ve noticed happening more and more that, if properly addressed, would make a significant improvement on the theatrical experience.… read more. “Presence in movie theaters: The role of screen masking”

[As the author of this piece in TreeHugger notes, mixed reality (and the presence experiences it provides) has great potential beyond the important application area of elevator maintenance and repair described here. The original story includes two videos and several more images; the press release is available from thyssenkrupp. –Matthew]

[Image: © thyssenkrupp/ using hololens to look at elevator]

It’s starting with elevators, but 3D tech like the Hololens will change the way we look at buildings

Lloyd Alter
September 16, 2016

This site has long been preoccupied with the future of work: how new technology is changing our jobs, and can possibly change our ecological footprint. I saw a bit of that future in New York City, with the demonstration of the use of Microsoft’s Hololens by thyssenkrupp Elevator.

The Hololens is described by Microsoft as “the first fully self-contained, holographic computer, enabling you to interact with high‑definition holograms in your world.”… read more. “It’s starting with elevators, but 3D tech like the Hololens will change the way we look at buildings”

[The idea of a bodysuit that enhances presence isn’t new, but this looks like a clever design; the story is from Digital Trends. See the Skinterface website for more information including videos. –Matthew]

Full-body touch sensations in VR will likely need special suits like Skinterface

By Kevin Parrish — September 14, 2016

Now that consumers have general access to high-quality VR content by way of the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, eye-tracking technology seems to be the next step in the evolution of VR. But what about touch input, as in feeling the virtual wind against your skin or how a virtual object feels when you grab it with your hand? One group of developers is looking into just that, and has created a way to generate full-body tactile feedback with what they call Skinterface.

Created by Ka Kei Suen, Charlotte Furet, George Wright, and Andre McQueen from London’s Royal College of Art, Skinterface is essentially a skinsuit covered with a matrix of small nodes (actuators) that use sound to move tiny magnets underneath those nodes.… read more. “Full-body touch sensations in VR will likely need special suits like Skinterface”