[In most cases organizations use a presence-evoking technology for a single purpose, for example for entertaining consumers or for training employees; this story from The Asahi Shimbun describes an interesting case in which the same technology is used for both. The original version of the story includes a second image. –Matthew] [Image: Wearing VR headsets, riders prepare for a horror-filled ride at the Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo. Credit: Odaka Chiba] Virtual reality horror ride could help train actual railway workers By Odaka Chiba/ Staff Writer March 11, 2018 The Seibu Group has devised two virtual-reality (VR) projects with entirely…

[A recent series of reports of Amazon’s Alexa spontaneously laughing has raised questions about whether machines should be designed to emulate humans. This story from Popular Science argues yes. A counter view can be found in “Alexa’s Creepy Laughter Is A Bigger Problem Than Amazon Admits” in Co.Design: “Alexa’s recent case of the ‘Ha Ha Has’ underlines the uncanny valley between Amazon’s Alexa and any real human. It’s why Star Trek poked at the inabilities of the logic-based aliens known as Spock and Data to understand humor. Humor is an insanely complicated topic considered intrinsic to human evolution. It’s why…

[Museums are still figuring out how to best utilize, and fund, virtual reality and the presence experiences it creates, but are impressed with its wide appeal. The director of HTC’s VIVE Arts “says VR will soon be just as important to a museum as its website.” This story is from The New York Times – see the original for several more images. –Matthew] [Image: A staff member at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris demonstrating a new permanent virtual reality installation about evolution. Credit: Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times] European Museums Get Adventurous With Virtual Reality By…

[Investment firm Fidelity has replaced classroom sessions in which trainees are told to empathize with customers with experiences using virtual reality that help make them more empathetic. This story about a positive use of presence is from The Observer. –Matthew] [Image: Jason Cooper, director of multimedia for Horizon Productions in Durham holds a pair of virtual reality goggles. N&O file photo] Fidelity is teaching employees compassion with virtual reality By Max Diamond March 07, 2018 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – Phone associates at Fidelity Investments no longer just sit in a classroom and listen to an instructor for training, instead they…

[A new study at Northwestern University demonstrates how mammals use smells to navigate space and the technology developed for the experiment has the potential to improve presence experiences in future VR systems. This story is from WTTW-TV in Chicago and includes supplementary information from Northwestern Now and The Daily Northwestern. –Matthew] [Image: Northwestern University researchers created a virtual environment for mice to navigate based solely on smells. (Courtesy Northwestern University)] Sniff Test: Study Incorporates Smell into Virtual Reality Alex Ruppenthal March 5, 2018 Imagine strapping on a pair of high-tech goggles and immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and even…

[In addition to describing a new VR app from the company Orbital Views designed to change users’ perceptions of our planet and its place in the cosmos, this article from Space.com contains the interesting fact that the same company offers participants aircraft flights that let them experience the lack of gravity and “makes [VR] headsets available … so that the participants can feel as though they [are] floating in space, or walking on the moon or Mars.” The original story includes a 0:50 minute video and different images. See the Orbital Views website for more information, and an ISPR Presence…