[Disney’s new “Virtual World Simulator” patent describes a sophisticated projection mapping system that can track multiple users and project personalized three-dimensional images to create augmented reality illusions without the need for a headset, phone or other user device. This story from SiliconValley.com provides details and context (and the original version includes two different images). IGN’s coverage adds this: “In addition to creating immersive theme park experiences, Disney’s patent also appears to note that the technology could be adapted for home use. The patent states that the virtual world simulator could be used to enable the transformation of a real-world venue,…

[BMW has unveiled a car that can change colors, with some reports (e.g., see DesignTAXI) reassuring us that the video demonstration is real and not the result of CGI or other special effects. The details are in the VentureBeat story below, which also describes new presence-evoking technology developed for the interior of BMW vehicles. Watch the color-changing technology in videos in the original story and from DPC Cars and the BMW Blog via YouTube. For even more details, images and videos see the company’s press releases about the exterior and interior technologies. –Matthew] BMW unveils car that can change its…

[Beyond the scientific findings from a new study that used virtual reality to explore how blind people orient themselves in space, this short story from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) suggests important benefits of using the experimental stimulus (and variations of it) to provide new presence experiences to this segment of the population for both rehabilitation and entertainment. See the original version of the story for a one-minute video (also available on YouTube). –Matthew] IIT: Virtual reality archery is “Braille” for orientation of blind people The new platform was developed by researchers at IIT in order to understand how…

[The TechRadar story below describes a new wireless haptic vest designed to be more immersive and more comfortable than similar existing products; the author of the ExtremeTech story that follows it is more skeptical. But it seems extremely likely that if it’s not the OWO Game vest it’ll be another product that enhance the user’s presence experience and the TechRadar story makes the interesting observation about how the new level of realism will “make us approach our VR experiences differently.” –Matthew] This award-winning VR shirt promises a level of immersion we aren’t ready for Owo’s haptic vest will make games…

[This 9Honey story from Australia describes the heartwarming use of telepresence robots to allow loved ones to “be together” at family weddings when COVID and other factors would otherwise make it impossible; see the original story for several more pictures. –Matthew] [Image: Will Trott parks up for the wedding speeches. Credit: James Field Photography] How robots are helping guests attend weddings from kilometres away: ‘I had front-row seats’ By Shelley Thomas December ~3, 2021 For Sydneysider Will Trott, attending his little sister’s wedding at a working sheep and cattle station south of Adelaide transformed into a “highly emotive” out-of-body experience.…

[Although the term metaverse is being used broadly to refer to social virtual worlds (see Mashable’s story on the evolution and current definitions of metaverse), you can experience New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Times Square online with other people in (at least) two ways this year. The Bloomberg story below describes MetaFest 2022, drawing in part from a press release available via Business Wire; for more information see the event’s website. A different experience from the same company is available for the second year using the VNYE website and app; details are in another press release via Business…