[This story from Inc. is about how we can make robots more ‘human’ and more likely to evoke the responses that humans do for each other. The original story features a different image and includes the video mentioned at the end; a related video from June 2015 is available on YouTube. –Matthew] This Robot Can Tell If You’re an Introvert How one PhD student wants to make robots less creepy–and more emotionally intelligent. Ilan Mochari, Senior writer, Inc. Feb 2, 2016 Would you be more receptive to working with a robot if the robot–like a human–knew when to make direct…

[Although the terminology is different, the story below notes how the disconnect between what a VR user can see and hear, and what she can touch, breaks (or fails to evoke) a presence illusion. But when that problem is solved, the applications are going to be impressive. The story is from Bloomberg and features more images and a 1:25 minute video. –Matthew] [Image: A virtual slider control for a DJ’s mixing desk—just one potential application for Ultrahaptics technology] Meet the Man Who Made Virtual Reality ‘Feel’ More Real Tom Carter’s ultrasound technology lets you touch and manipulate virtual objects—attracting interest…

[The interview below from Forbes (where it features more images) is a very thoughtful discussion of social presence – primarily in response to independent robots (‘medium as social actor’ presence) but also to teleoperated ones that act as extensions of users. Note that the term presence appears once near the end. Fascinating, important stuff! –Matthew] Relationships with Robots: Good or Bad for Humans? Patrick Lin Feb 1, 2016 As robotics and autonomous systems flourish, human-robot relationships are becoming increasingly important. They’re how we interact and control the technology, from self-driving cars to sex robots. The way technologies are designed can…

[Although it doesn’t use the terms, this link-filled article from MIT Technology Review is all about how natural mapping can be used to evoke more effective (tele)presence illusions. –Matthew] The Step Needed to Make Virtual Reality More Real If virtual reality is going to be truly immersive, holding a game controller could be distracting. Companies will instead try to let you control the action with your eyes, head, or fingers. by Rachel Metz February 1, 2016 It’s one thing to play the arcade game Whac-A-Mole by swinging around an oversized mallet; it’s far easier to whack those moles virtually, controlling…

[If you haven’t heard the sad news, Marvin Minsky passed away on January 24, 2016. His contribution to telepresence has rarely been mentioned in the coverage but it’s the focus of this post from IEEE Spectrum; follow the link to watch the 7:05 minute video mentioned at the end. –Matthew] [Image: The June 1980 issue of Omni featured an essay by Marvin Minsky titled “Telepresence”. Photo: Erico Guizzo/IEEE Spectrum] Video Friday: Marvin Minsky, Submersible Drone, and SLAM on a SnakeBot By Evan Ackerman and Erico Guizzo Posted 29 Jan 2016 Marvin Minsky, the AI pioneer and MIT professor, died on…

[Though scholars too rarely study it, presence and sexuality is a fascinating topic – the story below is from Digital Trends, where it includes a 3:56 minute video. More reactions to the CES demonstration are detailed in coverage in PCWorld and Mashable (which features a 3:22 minute video); a thoughtful different analysis can be found in Slate. –Matthew] [Image: Source: Slate] I tried VR porn in a CES hotel suite, and I’ll never be the same By Will Fulton — January 12, 2016 Porn has always been a trailblazer. Throughout the last few decades, the pornography industry has been an…