ISPR Presence News

Monthly Archives: July 2014

Job: Research Associate in VR and Agent-based Simulation at Sheffield U.

Research Associate in Virtual Reality and Agent-based Simulation
Sheffield University Computer Science

Fixed-term for 18 months
Grade 7 (£29,552, to £30,434 per annum)

Closing Date:  5th September 2014.

Post reference number:  UOS008944
Search at:  www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/

Summary:  We invite applications for the position of Research Associate in Virtual Reality (VR) and Agent-based Modelling (ABM) to work on the Premonition project, a recently awarded research grant funded by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority and co-ordinated by Dr Daniela Romano (Department of Computer Science) and in collaboration with Dr Dermot Breslin (Management School) and Dr Steve Dobson at Sheffield Hallam University (Department of Finance, Accounting and Business Systems).

The post holder will be implementing the Agent-based simulation on the GPU including the conceptualization of the correct cognitive model to be utilised for the agents. In addition s/he will support the data collection and attend to the big data analysis to be used within the simulation.… read more. “Job: Research Associate in VR and Agent-based Simulation at Sheffield U.”

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Interact with extinct birds: NZ augmented reality virtual Moa wildlife park

[From Stuff; follow the link within the story for much more information, including images and videos]

Virtual Moa Park

[Image: Melanie Langlotz, left, from Auckland company Augview, and Jo Russell, of Otorohanga Zoological Society, in Rotary Park where the virtual moa is being brought to life. Mark Taylor / Fairfax NZ]

Virtual park bringing moa to life

Rachel Thomas
Waikato Times
July 29, 2014

It’s proving difficult to get a photo of the moa.

The towering bird crosses Rotary Park, carelessly bowling through a triceratops, stands still under a tree dotted with pigeons, stares down at us for a while, then lopes off again.

Rotary Park, opposite the iconic Otorohanga Kiwi House, is host to the world’s first virtual moa park.

While Labour MP Trevor Mallard pushes his view that recovered moa DNA may one day see the extinct bird roam Wainuiomata, Otorohanga is front footing a lifesize 3D digital version in its own backyard.… read more. “Interact with extinct birds: NZ augmented reality virtual Moa wildlife park”

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Call: Symposia for Society for the Study of AI and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB) 2015 conference

Call for Symposium Proposals

AISB Convention 2015 (www.cs.kent.ac.uk/events/2015/AISB2015)

The AISB Convention is an annual conference covering the range of AI and Cognitive Science, organised by the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour. The 51st Convention will be held at the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK, from 20-22nd April 2015.

The convention is structured as a number of co-located symposia, together with a number of plenary talks and events. A symposium lasts for one or two days, and can include any type of event of academic benefit: talks, posters, panels, discussions, debates, demonstrations, outreach sessions, exhibits, etc. Each symposium is organised by its own programme committee. The committee proposes the symposium, defines the area(s) and structure for it, issues calls for abstracts/papers etc., manages the process of selecting submitted papers for inclusion, and compiles an electronic file for inclusion in the convention proceedings which are published on the AISB website.… read more. “Call: Symposia for Society for the Study of AI and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB) 2015 conference”

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Telepresence after death: Son races deceased father’s ghost in Xbox racer, makes internet cry

[An interesting example of ‘telepresence after death’ (Lombard & Selverian) from Polygon]

Rally Sport Challenge graphic

Son races deceased father’s ghost in Xbox racer, makes internet cry

By Danielle Riendeau on Jul 23, 2014

This is the most heart-warming video game ghost story I’ve ever heard. According to a post on Motoramic, a YouTube commenter that goes by 00WARTHERAPY00 shared a supernaturally touching story about racing their father’s ghost in Xbox racer RalliSport Challenge, 10 years after he had passed.

On a spooky note — The Besties actually conceived of this very scenario years before this happened — check out their total pre-cog moment starting at 33:45.

Note: spelling and punctuation have been preserved from the post:

Well, when i was 4, my dad bought a trusty XBox. you know, the first, ruggedy, blocky one from 2001. we had tons and tons and tons of fun playing all kinds of games together – until he died, when i was just 6.… read more. “Telepresence after death: Son races deceased father’s ghost in Xbox racer, makes internet cry”

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Call: Workshop on User Experience of Autonomous Driving at AutomotiveUI 2014

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

2nd Workshop on User Experience of Autonomous Driving at AutomotiveUI 2014 (http://www.auto-ui.org/14)

Seattle, WA, USA; September 17th, 2014

Workshop website:  http://projects.icts.sbg.ac.at/aui2014/

Submission deadline:  August 10, 2014

IMPORTANT DATES

  • August 10, 2014:  Submission deadline
    • Option 1:  Position paper (to appear in adjunct proceedings)
    • Option 2:  Biography and motivation to participate
  • August 13, 2014:  Notification
  • August 15, 2014:  Early Registration Deadline for Conference
  • September 1, 2014:  Camera ready version (optional)
  • September 17, 2014:  Workshop at AUI 2014 in the afternoon

SUMMARY AND THEME

Autonomous Driving has gained attention from academia and industry over the last decades. Research organizations and companies have developed (semi-)autonomous vehicles and first in-situ studies have been conducted. This workshop follows last years first AUI workshop on user experience (UX) and autonomous driving (AD). We would like to widen the conversation on UX and AD based on the results from last year.… read more. “Call: Workshop on User Experience of Autonomous Driving at AutomotiveUI 2014”

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Philips’ Hue lighting to make Syfy’s Sharknado films more immersive

[From Recombu; the Engadget report mentioned features an animated gif and 1:02 minute video; a 7:33 minute video report and a trailer for the film are available from PC Magazine; the press release is available from Philips]

Syfy's Sharknado and Philips'  Hue graphic

[Image: Slashgear]

Sharknado and SyFy Sync take a bite out of Philips Hue’s smart lights

By Editorial Team
Tuesday, 29th July 2014

Syfy Sync and Philips Hue are working together to give you a more immersive movie experience while watching the sure-to-be-masterpiece Sharknado 2: The Second One.

When viewing the B-movie sequel the Syfy Sync iPad app will communicate with your Philips Hue coloured lights via the Hue Bridge and cue up some impressive lighting effects.… read more. “Philips’ Hue lighting to make Syfy’s Sharknado films more immersive”

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Job: Full Professor of Applied Computer Science (Ubiquitous Computing) – Vienna U of Tech

FULL PROFESSOR of APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE (Ubiquitous Computing)
Vienna University of Technology

The Vienna University of Technology invites applications for a Full Professor position at the Faculty of Informatics. The open position is affiliated to the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology.

The successful candidate will have an outstanding research record in the field of Ubiquitous Computing and focuses on next generation ubiquitous computing systems and their application in authentic real world settings. Particular research topics of interest include sensor-rich environments; interactive and smart spaces; new interaction paradigms; Internet of Things; mobile and context-aware computing; awareness and privacy; and tangible, situated and embodied interaction. Besides research, the duties of a full professor at the Vienna University of Technology include graduate and undergraduate teaching (in English or German) as well as contributing to usual management and faculty service tasks.

The Vienna University of Technology announces a tenured Full Professor position.… read more. “Job: Full Professor of Applied Computer Science (Ubiquitous Computing) – Vienna U of Tech”

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Sawmill studio in Vancouver brings VR to the masses

[From The Vancouver Sun]

Nicole Lynch at Sawmill Studio

[Image: Nicole Lynch visits Tuscany in virtual reality at the launch of Vancouver’s new virtual reality studio, The Sawmill.]

Vancouver tech specialists bring virtual reality to the masses

At the Sawmill studio in Vancouver, anyone can rent state-of-the-art motion capture equipment

By Gillian Shaw, Vancouver Sun
July 23, 2014

VANCOUVER — If you can trace your way through blind alleys and dead ends to an old sawmill tucked away at the foot of Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Street, you’ll find yourself in a different world.

A virtual world, and one that is realizing the dream of some Vancouver tech specialists of bringing virtual reality to the masses.

Called, fittingly enough, the Sawmill, in a nod to the building’s provenance as a sawmill located in a spot handy for logs floated up the Fraser River, the studio is equipped with state-of-the-art motion capture technology that lets everyone — from pro developers to ordinary folk — play and create projects in a virtual online world.… read more. “Sawmill studio in Vancouver brings VR to the masses”

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Call: Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) 2015 conference

14th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2015)

Istanbul Congress Center
Istanbul, Turkey
4-8th of May, 2015

http://www.aamas2015.com

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract Submission:  12th of November, 2014 (23:59 UTC-12)
Full Paper Submission:  17th of November, 2014 (23:59 UTC-12)
Rebuttal Phase:  14-16th of January, 2015 (23:59 UTC-12)
Author Notification:  28th of January, 2015

ABOUT AAMAS

AAMAS is the leading scientific conference for research in autonomous agents and multiagent systems. The AAMAS conference series was initiated in 2002 by merging three highly respected meetings: the International Conference on Multi-Agent Systems (ICMAS); the International Workshop on Agent Theories, Architectures, and Languages (ATAL); and the International Conference on Autonomous Agents (AA). The aim of the joint conference is to provide a single, high-profile, internationally respected archival forum for scientific research in the theory and practice of autonomous agents and multiagent systems.

INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

AAMAS-15 encourages the submission of analytical, empirical, methodological, technological, and perspective papers.… read more. “Call: Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) 2015 conference”

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Immersive VR game to let users experience James Joyce’s Ulysses through character’s eyes

[From The Daily Edge, where the story includes a screenshot and the 1:34 video from the project’s FundIt page; a 12 minute interview program with Eoghan Kidney titled “The Oculus Rift and Ethics of Virtual Reality” is available on SoundCloud]

Black and white image features man wearing a hat and an Oculus Rift headset

You will soon be able to walk around inside James Joyce’s Ulysses*

*If this Dubliner’s virtual reality videogame reaches its fundraising target.

June 27, 2014

Most of us haven’t read Ulysses, with a lot of us too intimidated to even give it a go. Now a Dublin filmmaker and animator is creating an immersive virtual reality videogame designed to accompany the novel and hopefully make it more accessible to new readers.

Eoghan Kidney, who has directed several short films and music videos, is currently developing In Ulysses. “[It’s] is a short section of episode 3 of Ulysses recreated as a game, primarily designed for virtual reality headsets such as the upcoming Oculus Rift,” he tells us.… read more. “Immersive VR game to let users experience James Joyce’s Ulysses through character’s eyes”

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