[This long story from Forbes is a useful review of industry efforts to create effective and practical social presence illusions (it uses a technology-based definition of telepresence vs. the psychological sense of “virtual presence”). Read the original version of the story to see many images and videos that illustrate the different technologies. The author also has an upcoming book about AR and VR. –Matthew]

[Image: Author Charlie Fink apparently in same room with a DVE hologram]

The Trillion Dollar 3D Telepresence Gold Mine

Charlie Fink, I’m a former tech executive covering VR, AR and new media for Forbes.
November 20, 2017

We decided to find out if what Microsoft says is true: remote volumetric telepresence and collaboration can and will be done, sooner than people think and–despite obvious technical hurdles–it will be the killer app of Augmented and Virtual Reality.… read more. “The trillion dollar 3D telepresence gold mine”

[The new HaptX Glove apparently provides impressive haptic illusions if not fully “immersive VR,” but as this story from IEEE Spectrum notes, the creators are still working toward enabling “virtual reality experiences [that] are indistinguishable from real life”; see the original story for four more images and the HaptX website for much more information. –Matthew]

HaptX Inc Reveals New Haptic Glove for Virtual Reality

By Amy Nordrum
Posted 20 Nov 2017

In early October, I showed up at an old firehouse on Staten Island for a glimpse into the future of virtual reality. That future depends largely on haptics. Now that we can use VR headsets to transport ourselves to another world, the thinking goes, we need systems to recreate sensations to bring those virtual experiences to life.

I went to Staten Island to meet up with a little-known company that fancies itself “the leader of realistic haptic feedback.”… read more. “New HaptX Glove for VR provides tactile and force feedback in step toward ultimate presence”

[This story from Phys.org via AFP describes a promising therapeutic use of VR and presence that creates a double-meaning for immersion and has the added advantage of not requiring the use of captive animals. For more information, including images and standard and interactive videos, see The Dolphin Swim Club’s website. –Matthew]

Swimming with dolphins in virtual reality to aid disabled

November 19, 2017 by Jo Biddle

Swimming with wild dolphins is something most can only dream of, and jumping into pools with captive animals has become increasingly controversial with environmentalists condemning it as cruel.

But a Dutch non-profit believes it has found a way to bring people, especially the disabled, closer to such a joyful experience through the technological, immersive advances offered by virtual reality (VR).

The Dolphin Swim Club is the realisation of a more than two-decade journey by artist Marijke Sjollema, who had her first chance encounter with a dolphin in 1993 while snorkeling off the coast of Mexico.… read more. “Swimming with dolphins in virtual reality to aid disabled”

[Reminiscent of Oculus Video and CineVR, a new virtual movie theater from Paramount and Bigscreen will replicate sitting in a theater with friends watching a film on a big screen, i.e., it’ll use presence-evoking technology to replicate the experience of using presence-evoking technology. This story is from Deadline Hollywood. –Matthew]

Paramount Pictures Launching First Virtual Reality Movie Theater

by Anita Busch
November 16, 2017

EXCLUSIVE: Paramount Pictures has just created another platform — or maybe even a new distribution window — to display its feature content.

The studio, in partnership with Bigscreen, is collaborating with several tech companies leading efforts in the virtual reality space — Oculus, Samsung, HTC and Microsoft, among others — to launch a first VR movie theater. A viewer puts on a VR headset and sits in a “theater” in front of a huge screen watching a movie as you would in a brick-and-mortar theater.… read more. “Paramount Pictures and Bigscreen launching virtual reality movie theater”

[A new VR project from Pixar promotes the company’s new film using both spatial and social presence. The story is from CNET, where the original includes more images and a 2:29 minute video. –Matthew]

Pixar uses VR to bring the Land of the Dead to life

“Coco VR,” the first virtual-reality experience from Pixar, sets you loose as a skeleton to play in the imaginary universe of its next film.

By Joan E. Solsman
November 15, 2017

Pixar’s movies can be so captivating, you sometimes want to walk around inside their worlds.

Now you can.

“Coco VR,” the first virtual-reality experience from Pixar, lets you virtually explore the glimmering Land of the Dead from the studio’s upcoming feature, “Coco.” Check out your skeleton body in a mirror as you try on different outfits and pop your skull off and place it into your hands.… read more. “Pixar uses VR to bring the Land of the Dead to life”