[From Gizmag, where the story includes an image gallery and a 2:29 minute video; those of us at ISPR 2014 in Vienna had the chance to try out and learn about the Virtualizer from the creators] [Image: The Virtualizer VR rig from Cyberith lets gamers walk, run, jump, crouch, kneel and even sit] Cyberith’s Virtualizer brings running, jumping … and sitting to virtual reality By Colin Jeffrey July 23, 2014 In recent years, we’ve seen a number of virtual reality (VR) devices targeted at bringing more immersive gaming to the home while also adding locomotion to the mix. Joining the…

[From Digital Trends; see also “Androids Attend Damon Albarn Show In Japan” on The Creators Project web site] South Korean baseball team installs robots to replace absent fans By David Nield — July 26, 2014 Going to miss the ballgame? If you’re a fan of South Korean team Hanwah Eagles then you can still be there in virtual spirit — the Eagles have just added three rows of robot spectators who beam video clips and messages from supporters who can’t be there in person. It looks like the new technology is a hit with fans: nearly 90,000 messages have been…

[From Motherboard, where the story includes the two videos mentioned] [Image: From a large photo gallery at ACFI PRESS] This Is What It’s Like to Be Anesthetized by Virtual Reality Written by Meghan Neal, Managing Editor August 8, 2014 The strange link between virtual reality and mind-altering drugs is well-trodden territory here at Motherboard. We’ve explored tripping in Oculus Rift, treating heroin addiction with VR therapy, technoshamans replacing psychedelics with an immersive virtual experience, and a speculative future where virtual reality “jolting” is the illicit substance of choice. Now here’s another drug being “disrupted” by VR technology: anesthesia.…

[From CNN, where the story includes a photo gallery and a 1:53 minute video] [Image: Details of a new sports-based theme park in Barcelona are sketchy, but promotional images show visitors taking part in virtual swimming races.] Barcelona to host world’s first sports theme park By Barry Neild, CNN August 4, 2014 (CNN) — Fitness isn’t usually a requirement for theme parks — standing in lines, climbing into rides and screaming in abject terror require only basic levels of stamina. Not so at the world’s first-ever sports amusement park planned for the Olympic Stadium and other Olympic venues in Barcelona,…

[From RocketNews24, where the story includes the 3:11 minute video and many screenshots; for more on the meaning of otaku see Wikipedia] You can now get physical with your virtual girlfriend thanks to Oculus Rift and a dubious pillow Cara Clegg August 4, 2014 Are you starting to feel that your virtual girlfriend just isn’t real enough? Craving the feel of her soft skin against your own? With the technological leaps being made in the field of virtual reality gaming headsets, otaku are being offered the chance to get closer to their digital darlings than ever before. But can they…

[From Phys.org] [Image: This photo obtained July 31, 2014 shows creators Dr. Frauke Zeller of Ryerson University and Dr. David Harris Smith of McMaster University with hitchBOT] Hitchhiking robot thumbs its way across Canada Aug 02, 2014 by Michel Comte A talking robot assembled from household odds and ends is hitchhiking thousands of kilometers across Canada this summer as part of a social experiment to see if those of its kind can trust humans. Society is “usually concerned with whether we can trust robots,” Frauke Zeller, co-creator of the “hitchBot,” told AFP. Hollywood movies like “The Terminator” and “The Matrix”…