[A new study from Tohoku University demonstrates the benefits of just the (presence) illusion of physical exercise. Follow the link at the bottom to read the study and learn more about co-author Professor Kawashima, creator of the Brain Age games, in BrainWorld Magazine. –Matthew] [Image: A schematic theoretical interpretation of the virtual illusion, leading to measurable physiological effects on the person’s body. Credit: Tohoku University] From Virtual to Reality! Virtual Training Improves Physical and Cognitive Functions August 31, 2020 Researchers at the Smart-Aging Research Center (IDAC) at Tohoku University have developed an innovative training protocol that, utilizing immersive virtual reality…

[ZDNet has more details about the PORTL hologram machine and a new partnership that will add AI to its capabilities, but I chose to post this TechRepublic story about the technology for its broader discussion, and because the company’s CEO-founder is quoted in it saying “We almost called this technology Presence, because it really does bring a real-life presence into the room.” A four minute demonstration video of the PORTL, and a thirty second video of the MINI PORTL, are available via YouTube. More information and many more videos can be found on the company’s website. –Matthew] Hologram virtual meetings?…

[It’s not unusual to speak of having a form of relationship with one’s car but the Chinese car company Nio embodies that relationship with the Nomi Mate smart digital assistant, as described in this short story from Electric Vehicle News. For more information, see: A 1:33 minute demo video from Nio via YouTube A (copy-protected) interview with the developer of Nomi Mate from Just Auto (with lots of indirect references to presence) A 3:23 minute video interview with Nio’s Engineering Director for Machine Learning from Auto Futures A 13 minute user demonstration video of interactions with Nomi via YouTube The…

[As the first, short story below from UploadVR reports, four VR experiences are nominated for Emmy Awards (from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) this year. One is the particularly timely “The Messy Truth VR,” the focus of the second story, from Yahoo Entertainment. Note the comments of actor/producer Brie Larson about VR as “a step further” beyond film’s ability to create what sounds like presence. The original Yahoo story includes a 2:58 minute trailer and a 5:09 minute interview, and for more information see USA Today for a different short video and Deadline for another interview (which includes…

[This summary of how the pandemic has accelerated the “virtual experience economy,” which relies in great part on presence, comes from CNBC. Note: I’ve corrected a few typos and added some of the links. –Matthew] Op-ed: The “Experience Economy” is dead, driving a boom in virtual reality August 27, 2020 By Vikas Gupta, co-founder and CEO of the augmented reality company AVARA Media and a member of YPO It wasn’t long ago that many companies were doubling down on the “Experience Economy.” There was plenty of money to be made helping people check off items on their bucket list. Seventy-six…

[A new program based on virtual reality (and presence) is being launched to help women during their third trimester and the first two months after their baby is born. This story about it is from MobiHealthNews; the press release (“statement”) it refers to is available from Business Wire, and more information including a 1:19 minute video (also available via Vimeo) is available from the BehaVR website. –Matthew] Hoag Memorial Hospital and BehaVR launch VR program for expecting mothers NurtureVR was designed to be used at home as future moms enter their third trimesters to receive prenatal education, pain and stress…