ISPR Presence News

Monthly Archives: September 2021

Job: Assistant professor in HCI at Tilburg University, Netherlands

Call for Applications

Assistant professor in Human-Computer Interaction
Department of Communication and Cognition
Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences
Tilburg University
Tilburg, Netherlands
Vacancy ID: 18446
http://tiu.nu/18446

Application deadline: October 18, 2021

The Department of Communication and Cognition in the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences is looking for an enthusiastic new colleague as an Assistant Professor in Human-Computer Interaction.

The successful candidates are expected to initiate and conduct research in the Tilburg Center for Cognition and Communication (TiCC). Researchers in TiCC explore cognitive and social aspects of human communication through a multidisciplinary approach, combining careful experimentation with survey methods, corpus analyses and computational modelling. Core research domains include (in alphabetical order) communication and technology, cross-cultural communication, information visualization, language production, new media design, social media research, strategic communication and non-verbal communication. Candidates are expected to develop new lines of research fitting within TiCC on topics including but not limited to creativity and design, design research, eHealth/mHealth, games and storytelling, human-robot interaction, inclusive design, interactive data visualisation, participatory design, persuasive technology, social media design/use, or virtual reality.… read more. “Job: Assistant professor in HCI at Tilburg University, Netherlands”

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Virtual being classifications are diverse; here are some definitions to help keep things clear.

[As the technologies and techniques that evoke presence become more diverse and overlap in different combinations it’s useful to have a classification scheme. This story from Virtual Humans provides one for the virtual influencer industry; see the original story for seven more images. –Matthew]

What’s the Difference Between Virtual Influencers, VTubers, Artificial Intelligence, Avatars, and More?

Virtual being classifications are diverse; here are some definitions to help keep things clear.

By Makena Rasmussen
September 27, 2021

When people imagine a virtual influencer, they often picture something out of a science fiction movie: a fully automated, autonomous robot celebrity powered by AI who resembles something from a Black Mirror episode.

People tend to conflate virtual influencers with AI or holograms because of popular sci-fi media. The confusion is understandable; many virtual influencers portray themselves as an AI or physical robot as a part of their fictional storyline.… read more. “Virtual being classifications are diverse; here are some definitions to help keep things clear.”

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Call: AAMAS-2022, the 21st International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems

Call for Papers

AAMAS-2022, the 21st International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems
9-13 May 2022
Auckland, New Zealand [see third paragraph below]
https://aamas2022-conference.auckland.ac.nz/

Abstract submission deadline: 1 October 2021
Paper submission deadline: 8 October 2021

AAMAS (International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems) is the largest and most influential conference in the area of agents and multiagent systems. The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and practitioners in all areas of agent technology and to provide a single, high-profile, internationally renowned forum for research in the theory and practice of autonomous agents and multiagent systems. AAMAS is the flagship conference of the non-profit International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (IFAAMAS).

We invite you to submit your best work in the area of agents and multiagent systems to AAMAS-2022, the 21st International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, to be held in Auckland in May 2022.… read more. “Call: AAMAS-2022, the 21st International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems”

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Cleveland Clinic researchers develop bionic arm that restores natural behaviors in patients with upper limb amputations

[From The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman to Star Wars and beyond, science fiction has long portrayed replacement limbs that function and are experienced as being the same (or better than) the original limb. New work described in this Cleveland Clinic press release is actually making this possible, allowing amputees to overlook the role of technology in their interaction with objects and people. See the original report for six more images and a 15 second video. More videos are available via YouTube from the Cleveland Clinic, KPVM-TV in Las Vegas, and the Daily Mail – in the KPVM and Daily Mail videos Dr. Paul Marasco says “When you put all of these systems together [patients’] brains actually feel like the hand is human” and in the Daily Mail video a patient says this:

“It’s not just giving me that function; it’s giving me back the real connection, and that connection I truly think is not just – it helps that disconnect from ‘this is a machine that’s attached to me’ to ‘this is a part of me, ‘and that’s a really really big deal when it comes to amputations and amputees and us being able to heal and move forward from whatever it is that caused that.”… read more. “Cleveland Clinic researchers develop bionic arm that restores natural behaviors in patients with upper limb amputations”

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Call: Technology and Society issue of The GCAS Review Journal

Call for Papers

Technology and Society issue
The Global Center for Advanced Studies (GCAS) Review Journal

Deadline for submission of abstracts: October 17, 2021

The GCAS Review Journal is looking for authors for the second edition for winter 2022. We are looking for authors interested in addressing the question and interests concerning technology and society. The pieces can be in the general humanities as we are looking for a diverse range of papers in the fields of politics, sociology, psychology, economics, etc.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Online technologies and the future of education
  • Artificial intelligence and truth
  • Ethics of surveillance
  • Transhumanism and existentialism
  • Digitalisation and consumerism
  • Democratization of technology
  • Government control and public freedom
  • Psychological effects from technology
  • Global markets, crypto-currencies, and global currencies
  • The future of workplaces
  • Technology as religion
  • Technological progress and human progress

The GCAS Review Journal is an unbiased publication and looks for articles that both find insights into these aforementioned problems while also inviting articles that can negate the ideas proposed.… read more. “Call: Technology and Society issue of The GCAS Review Journal”

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NSFW VR game tech gives you ‘dream’ mate to fall in love with, gets physical too

[As DesignTAXI reports, Virtual Mate claims to produce compelling, realistic “virtual intimacy” with its combination of story, character, realistic graphics, and verbal and physical interaction; the company’s website includes this indirect reference to a strong presence illusion:

“As a California-based team of Unreal Engine developers and smart device engineers, we have dedicated years of time, money, and energy to devising an intimate virtual encounter so immersive and realistic, users are losing sight of what’s real or fictional.”

See the rest of the website for more information including (some NSFW) images and videos.

The reviews are more cautious:

“We like Virtual Mate, but recognize it has potential to take things much further. In use, you do get a great feeling of one-to-one action with a virtual person complete with tactile feedback. So in this regard it succeeds and places it above many of its peers.… read more. “NSFW VR game tech gives you ‘dream’ mate to fall in love with, gets physical too”

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Jobs: Media Psychology Faculty Search – Fielding Graduate University

Call for Applications

Doctoral Faculty, Media Psychology Program
Fielding Graduate University
Reports to: Media Psychology Program Director
Location: Remote
Position: Regular, Full Time
Wage Range: DOE
FLSA Status: Exempt
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=371bf4c2-8681-458c-8b35-722b1fc8d540&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US

Applications accepted for consideration until the position has been filled

Applications will not be considered complete unless both a CV and COVER LETTER are uploaded.

SUMMARY

Fielding Graduate University aspires to be a world leader in Media Psychology science and practice, and graduate training in Media Psychology. Toward this end, we seek to hire a full-time, core faculty member to join our dedicated team. The new core faculty member will teach graduate courses in Psychology and Media Psychology, mentor graduate students, serve on Dissertation committees, and advance their scholarship and/or practice related to Media Psychology. Applications for Doctoral Faculty in Media Psychology will be accepted for consideration until the position has been filled.… read more. “Jobs: Media Psychology Faculty Search – Fielding Graduate University”

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Why companies are using virtual concerts to introduce their users to the metaverse

[This Digiday story reviews the recent expansion of virtual concert platforms and the spatial and social presence experiences they provide and how companies are using the platforms for marketing and promotion of the metaverse. For more on the Stageverse social VR platform highlighted here see coverage in Road to VR. –Matthew]

Why companies are using virtual concerts to introduce their users to the metaverse

By Alexander Lee
September 21, 2021

As everyday life increasingly moves into digital spaces, companies are taking advantage of consumers’ enthusiasm for virtual concerts to introduce them to the concept of the metaverse.

On September 8, a throng of fans cavorted around the stage as the heavy metal band Pentakill performed live. As the band thrashed away in a flame-wreathed venue, concert attendees could be seen dancing and raising devil horns on screens surrounding the stage.… read more. “Why companies are using virtual concerts to introduce their users to the metaverse”

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Call: “Transitional Interfaces in Mixed and Cross-Reality: A new frontier?” Workshop at ACM ISS 2021

CALL FOR PAPERS AND PARTICIPATION

“Transitional Interfaces in Mixed and Cross-Reality: A new frontier?”
Hybrid Workshop at 2021 ACM Interactive Surfaces and Spaces Conference (ACM ISS 2021)
November 14, 2021
Łódź, Poland and online [see “PROGRAM & SUBMISSIONS” below]
https://idux-jetter.org/ti-iss2021/

Submission deadline: October 18, 2021, 23:59 AoE

ORGANIZERS

Hans-Christian Jetter (University of Lübeck, Germany),
Jan-Henrik Schröder (University of Lübeck, Germany),
Jan Gugenheimer (Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Télécom Paris, France),
Mark Billinghurst (University of South Australia, Australia and University of Auckland, New Zealand),
Christoph Anthes (University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Hagenberg Campus, Austria),
Mohamed Khamis (University of Glasgow, United Kingdom),
Tiare Feuchtner (University of Konstanz, Germany)

TOPIC OF THE WORKSHOP

The rapid proliferation of powerful, yet affordable, off-the-shelf AR/VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) raises questions about how to better integrate such mixed reality technologies into our real-world computing ecosystems and into the real-world physical spaces they inhabit.… read more. “Call: “Transitional Interfaces in Mixed and Cross-Reality: A new frontier?” Workshop at ACM ISS 2021”

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Boosted by virtual reality and AI, telesurgery is on the rise

[This interview with neurosurgeon Sam Browd provides enlightening details about how virtual reality, AI and presence can and hopefully will increasingly improve surgical training and performance. The interview is from Healthcare IT News. –Matthew]

[Image: Dr. Sam Browd. Credit: Proprio]

Boosted by virtual reality and AI, telesurgery is on the rise

“The goal is surgeons who have the world’s best expert surgeon virtually at their side in every case and the experience of thousands of cases,” says University of Washington’s Dr. Sam Browd.

By Bill Siwicki
September 21, 2021

Dr. Sam Browd is a Seattle neurosurgeon who is taking telemedicine and virtual reality technology to a different, unexpected place – the operating room.

Browd is professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington, an attending neurosurgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and cofounder and chief medical officer at health IT vendor Proprio.… read more. “Boosted by virtual reality and AI, telesurgery is on the rise”

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