[Upload reports on an “arguably revolutionary” approach to the long-standing problem of adding the experience of smells to presence-evoking technologies. See the original version of the story below for another image and a 28-second video. For more details and images, see the project website, which has this provocative URL: https://writetobrain.com/olfactory. –Matthew] Researchers Induce Smells With Ultrasound, No Chemical Cartridges Required A group of independent researchers built a device that can artificially induce smell using ultrasound, with no consumable cartridges required. By David HeaneyApril 15, 2026 Current virtual reality is focused on stimulating your vision and hearing, with some limited haptics…

[A company called EchoLabs is developing what sounds like a presence-evoking experience familiar in science fiction stories. Details are in this story from Cybernews (where the original version includes a second image and an embedded social media post). In addition to the film examples mentioned in the story, see Wikipedia’s entry for the “Parallels” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.  –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Cybernews] Multiverse platform wants you to watch AI clones live the life you could’ve had An unknown company is attempting to make your life’s “what ifs” a reality. While it may seem that you can follow…

[This story from New Jersey Business Magazine describes the familiar benefits of using presence-evoking virtual reality to engage and train people to work in a wide variety of professions. In this case, the new training is designed for those learning the necessary skills and habits of bricklayers. –Matthew] BACNJ Launches Virtual Reality Training for Bricklayers April 9, 2026 The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers of New Jersey (BACNJ) have announce a new initiative that integrates virtual reality into workforce training. The program, which uses state-of-the-art virtual reality goggles to provide immersive, hands-on training experiences, allows apprentices and prospective students to safely…

[While there is good reason to be concerned about and address potential negative impacts of presence, especially when fast-evolving technologies including artificial intelligence are involved, there are also many potential positive impacts. This story from R&D World describes some extremely important positive impacts in the context of telerobotic surgery. See the original version of the story for a larger version of the graphic below and five additional images. –Matthew] [Image: Intuitive’s telecollaboration roadmap spans today’s remote case observation and telementoring to a future vision of intraoperative consultation, where a remote surgeon could join a live case from a second console.…

[As AI-generated media content becomes increasingly common and similar to content created by humans, it becomes more challenging for consumers to distinguish between the two, and especially for casual consumers, it may become less important. As Vice reports, a vivid example of this is occurring in country music. See the linked ABC News KTEN story for additional details. –Matthew] [Image: “Whiskey & Water,” a song by Cain Walker featuring Cade Winslow, is one of many AI-generated country music tunes. Credit: Timothy A. Clary / AFP. Source: RFI.] This Genre Considers Authenticity a Core Value, but Is Leading in AI-Generated Music…

[In a dramatic presence-evoking display, and celebration, of this week’s space flight to the furthest distance from Earth humans have ever travelled, The Sphere in Las Vegas ‘turned into’ the Moon, with NASA’s Artemis II spacecraft orbiting above its surface. See the original version of this short story from Futurism for larger versions of the two images below and follow the links within the story for more information, images and videos. –Matthew] Las Vegas Sphere Turns Into Huge Moon to Celebrate NASA Mission “Good luck, Godspeed Artemis II. Let’s go.” By Victor TangermannApril 9, 2026 NASA’s historic Artemis 2 mission…

[Two first-year undergraduate students are working with an assistant professor of computer science at Kennesaw State University in Georgia to develop an AI-based system that predicts when a virtual reality user is about to fall and warns them to prevent it. The warnings come in the form of sounds or prompts (perhaps eventually they can be incorporated into the experience to avoid breaking presence, as with in-story verbal cautions from characters). The Fallguard is one of several projects in the University’s First-Year Scholars Program; a summary of others is here. –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Darnell Wilburn] First-year students leverage AI technology…

[A multi-year project in the EU is using presence-evoking virtual reality to help both the public and policy-makers better understand and address the challenges of controlling air pollution. Some of the details are in this news release from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (the original version includes a second image); more details are available from Atmo Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Atmo BFC). The Escape and Serious games are available from Meta. –Matthew] Clearing the air: LIFE project uses virtual reality to make invisible pollution visible As air pollution remains a critical health and environmental challenge in Europe, the LIFE V-aiR…

[A new survey finds increasing use of AI chatbots, and willingness to use of AI-based robots, for romance and sex. Some of the implications of this use of technologies that evoke medium-as-social-actor presence are discussed in this story from Vice; follow the  ZipHealth link for more details about the survey results. –Matthew] Gen Z Won’t Stop Having Sex With AI Chatbots Maybe the robots really are taking over. By Ashley FikeApril 6, 2026 People are willing to try just about anything to feel close to someone again. And in today’s ever-freakier world, that “someone” doesn’t even have to be human.…

[This news release from the UK’s Network Rail describes a positive application of presence designed to help people understand and avoid the dangers posed by trains. See the original version for three more images and a 1:27 minute video. –Matthew] VIDEO: Virtual reality helping teach young people in Wales and Borders about the dangers of trespassing on the railway By Kathy Peart, Media relations manager, Network RailApril 2, 2026 The technology has been rolled out on the Wales and Borders route for the first time – already reaching more than 2,000 school children. Immersive VR technology is being used for…

[A professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has created a virtual reality game that teaches players about Loïe Fuller, an extremely popular and influential dancer who was one of the first to integrate technology (including presence-evoking technology) into her performances; game players also learn and practice basic dance principles. See the original version of the story for a second image (of Loïe Fuller), and follow the Master Dancer link for videos and more information. –Matthew] [Image: Professor John Tenjes is surrounded by a projection of a scene from “Master Dancer” in a National Center for Supercomputing Applications lab. Credit:…

[Many of the most interesting and positive applications of presence start with an individual person being inspired after learning about presence-evoking technologies and what they can do. A collaborative project at Texas Christian University is designed to create those learning and inspiring experiences for more students, faculty, and staff on the TCU campus. Note that even the VR cart they created for the effort is likely to evoke medium-as-social actor presence (!). –Matthew] Virtual Reality on Wheels: A Mobile Cart Showcases Emerging Tech at TCU By Justine ArensMarch 30, 2026 Classroom technology is no longer confined to a room or…