[From AnnArbor.com, where the story includes additional photos] [Image: Ted Hall, an advanced visualization specialist at the University of Michigan 3D Lab, demonstrates how MIDEN (Michigan Immersive Digital Experience Nexus) works. Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com] Tech Beat/With Gallery and Video: University of Michigan 3D Lab blurs line between virtual and reality By Ben Freed Business Reporter Posted on Fri, Nov 2, 2012 There’s a powerful room at the University of Michigan tucked away in the unassuming Duderstadt Center on North Campus. The “room” — three white walls and a floor — opens doors that could allow to you to fly…

[From UCL News] [Image: Virtual reality scene showing the participant’s and the rat’s virtual avatars.] Virtual reality ‘beaming’ technology transforms human-animal interaction 1 November 2012 Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, researchers have ‘beamed’ a person into a rat facility allowing the rat and human to interact with each other on the same scale. Published today in PLOS ONE, the research enables the rat to interact with a rat-sized robot controlled by a human participant in a different location. At the same time, the human participant (who is in a virtual environment) interacts with a human-sized avatar that is controlled by…

[From The Age] [Image: Surreal experience … researchers are rapidly uncovering the tricks required to fool our brains into semi-believing a virtual world is real.] A glimpse of reality in the unreal world The line between fact and fiction is increasingly being distorted October 25, 2012 Graham Phillips I’ve glimpsed the future – and it’s disturbing. My insight came while giving a lecture to a group of students. I had their full attention for 100 per cent of the time. Indeed these eager young people never broke eye contact with me; they were hanging on my every word. It felt…

[Happy Halloween… This is from Know Your Mobile; a 1:54 minute video review is available on YouTube] Zombie Booth review We review Zombie Booth, an Android app that lets you see what you’d look like as a member of the shambling undead Damien McFerran Aug 1, 2011 For some of us, getting up early in the morning for a long day at work can make you feel like you’re a member of the undead, but if you need to add that additional layer of authenticity then you can do a lot worse than download Zombie Booth for your Android phone.…

[From Stuff in New Zealand] [Image: A new teleconferencing system from Telecom will allow cancer specialists to more easily interact over large distances.] Advanced telepresence for cancer specialists Tom Pullar-Strecker October 25, 2012 Cancer specialists across the central and lower North Island will be able to use a secure video-conferencing system to consult with one another and other medical staff from next month. Phyllis Meier, project manager for the Central Cancer Network which is overseeing the initiative, said the Telecom-supplied system would be used by eight district health boards, from New Plymouth to Hawke’s Bay, and south, including Capital &…

[From Ontario’s The Record] [Image: Jeff Botham, vice-president of RealityCave, sits in the 3D virtual-reality environment in the Tannery building in downtown Kitchener. Peter Lee/Record staff] A 3D virtual tour, even before construction is finished Oct 27 2012 Rose Simone, Record staff KITCHENER — A hospital is embarking on a major fundraising campaign for a new wing, with construction set to start next year. But potential donors have invitations for a “tour” right now. A new restaurant is being built in Waterloo. Long before walls go up, the restaurant staff gets a walk-through to make sure the space is functional…