[From The National Post] [Image: The “street lab” recreates the environment outside the hospital. Tyler Anderson / National Post.] Virtual danger: Toronto lab recreates the world — and may revolutionize research Tom Blackwell Nov 16, 2011 It looks like a typical, comfortably furnished one-bedroom condominium, with a few notable exceptions — the apartment has no ceiling, it is surrounded by a catwalk that lets scientists peer down at the occupants and the entire thing is situated in a downtown hospital. “Home lab,” as researchers at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute have dubbed their open-top apartment, is part of an impressive $36-million complex whose…

[From iTnews] Bell Labs builds telepresence ‘robots’ Nethead could reach market in two years. By Liz Tay on Nov 7, 2011   Videoconferencing ‘robots’ in development at Alcatel-Lucent’s research arm, Bell Labs, could give remote workers a more physical presence in office meetings within two years. Researchers are working on a low-cost camera and screen that swivels on a set of robotic shoulders, and sits at a meeting table with physical attendees. Each so-called ‘Nethead’ represents a remote participant, who appears by video on the screen, and can control the direction the robot faces by naturally turning his or her…

[From CNET’s Crave blog; more information, including images and a 1:31 minute video, is available at DigInfo TV] Giant robot cat mask purrfect for pesky mice by Tim Hornyak November 14, 2011 Japanese writer Natsume Soseki, author of the celebrated novel “I Am a Cat,” would have loved this one. Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University’s Ideea Lab have developed a giant furry cat head that mimics the movements of its human wearers. The Neko Kaburu headpiece, aka the AnimatronInterface, consists of an inner mesh mask equipped with sensors that track eyelid, mouth, and muscle movements. These are reproduced in the…

[From scienceline]   [Image: A new existence awaits right inside our computer screens. Credit: Snooze] Virtually everything at stake A video game designer and a scientist explore the undeniable pull of virtual worlds By Kelly Slivka | Posted November 13, 2011 Lee Guzofski loves people, and that’s why he loves virtual reality. By the time I arrived to interview him at a coffee shop near Washington Square Park in Manhattan, he was already on a first-name basis with the baristo Leo, chatting with him like an old friend. “New York City is endlessly fascinating and authentic,” Guzofski told me after…

[From The New York Times’ Lens blog; the post includes a 1:37 minute video]   Immersing Yourself in the Story November 11, 2011 By Michael Kamber Tired of news footage where all you can see is what’s right in front you as the camera rolls down a road in a war-torn landscape? A new iPad app is about to change all that, immersing viewers in a near virtual reality where they can become director and editor. With the Condition One app, which debuts Friday, viewers can get a 180-degree field of view by simply moving the iPad in their hands.…

[From The Daily Mail, where the story includes additional images] Virtual changing rooms hit the high street: Debenhams first to trial new technology By Sadie Whitelocks Last updated on 1st November 2011 If clammy changing rooms clogged with rails of clothing and queues of belligerent shoppers drive you mad, the virtual changing room might be the answer. Using your smartphone, iPad or webcam you can try on potential purchases at your leisure, without getting undressed or battling through crowded shops. Known as augmented reality (AR) this cutting-edge technology superimposes outfits over your image, bringing together real and virtual worlds. Now…