[Although we rarely think about it, cosmetic surgeries and even make-up are designed to evoke a sense of presence, the perception of the absence of mediation by technology. This story from InStyle makes the point vividly, emphasizing the positive impact these techniques can produce; see the original story for more images. –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Ergey Filimonov/Stocksy – Stock.Adobe.com] Hyperrealistic Nipple Tattoos Are Changing the Game for Breast Cancer Survivors By Romy Oltuski October 18, 2018 This April, Piret Aava spent the full duration of a sluggish, five-hour train ride home from Washington, D.C., to New York City drawing nipples. “Someone…

[A November 12, 2018 story on NBC10 in Philadelphia about La Salle University’s success using the simulation program Kognito to help faculty, staff and students identify and help people who are at risk for suicide led me to the May 2018 story below from CNET with more information about Kognito and other uses of its presence-evoking simulations. See also a 5:53 minute video report from February 2018 from Fox5 in New York via YouTube. –Matthew] [Image: Interactive role-play simulations are helping health care professionals build empathy and practice communication skills. Source: Kognito.] Virtual humans could improve conversations at the doctor’s…

[The new Furhat robot addresses the Uncanny Valley and diversity challenges involved in creating medium-as-social-actor presence. The story is from ZDNet, where it includes a 1:02 minute video. There’s also a press release on the company’s website and a collection of videos on YouTube. –Matthew] Robots have a diversity problem. This Swedish startup could change that Furhat Robotics is seeking to revolutionize social robotics by moving away from a one-face-fits-all approach. By Greg Nichols November 13, 2018 Swedish startup Furhat Robotics, which makes a tabletop social robot that’s a bit like an in-your-face Alexa, unveiled its latest generation social robot…

[Two stories on advertising and virtual reality: First, Adweek describes a new Facebook ad campaign for the Oculus Go (Variety also notes the emphasis on media consumption rather than games) and the importance of engagement by current users vs. the number of headsets sold; the story includes four of the ads, which are also available on YouTube (1, 2, 3, 4). Then, 360i reports on the first programmatic advertising (targeted, algorithm-based placements) inside virtual reality experiences, in this case to promote the second season of National Geographic’s television series Mars. See The Drum for more coverage.…

[I know from personal experience the potential value of a new program at the University of Pennsylvania that uses virtual reality and presence to reduce stress in hospital waiting rooms. This story from The Daily Pennsylvanian describes the program and plans for expanding it. –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Fern Nibauer-Cohen] Virtual reality program lets cancer patients at Penn Med watch the sunrise from their waiting room By Katharine Shao November 11, 2018 Few people look forward to spending time in a hospital waiting room. There is typically bright, fluorescent lighting, a selection of sterile furniture and, if you’re lucky, a smattering…

[Presence-evoking technology is impacting the delivery of news, raising important ethical questions. This story is from Mashable, where it includes a 0:31 minute video of an “AI anchor”; for more information and a longer video, see coverage in The Verge. –Matthew] [Image: Source: Press From] China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency debuts ‘AI anchor’ to read the news By Matt Binder November 8, 2018 The state-run press agency in China, Xinhua, will now deliver news using “AI anchors” made of digital composites that use synthesized voices to “read” the news. These anchors look realistic, but are actually digital composites that are…