[This press release from the Acoustical Society of America via EurekAlert! describes an intriguing project that integrates sophisticated visual and aural technologies to create a compelling place-based presence experience. For much more information including audio and video materials and a 15-slide presentation, see the project’s website. –Matthew] Seeing with your ears Novel acoustics project aims to improve virtual reality and explore ear shape effects on 3-D sound Acoustical Society of America WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25, 2017 — Paris’ Cathedral of Notre Dame has a ghost orchestra that is always performing, thanks to a sophisticated, multidisciplinary acoustics research project that will…

[Netflix is experimenting with interactive programming; here’s a key quote from the director of product innovation at Netflix: “The children’s programming space was a natural place for us to start since kids are eager to ‘play’ with their favorite characters and already inclined to tap, touch and swipe at screens. They also talk to their screens, as though the characters can hear them. Now, that conversation can be two-way.” This story is from The New York Times, where it features another image and the Netflix “Kids Interactive Adventure” trailer; for more details see coverage in The Verge. –Matthew] [Image: An…

[The debut of the 3D, interactive virtual tour of The Daily Show’s “Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library” exhibit which was only open for a few days in New York City is notable on its own and also as an example of what may become an important trend: the creation of virtual versions of limited term, limited access, non-mediated experiences so that many more people over long periods of time can have (a version of) the experience. This short story is from CNN, where the original includes a photo gallery and the 0:31 minute exhibit welcome video. A similarly short…

[This is a clever use of presence-evoking technology to create presence experiences; the story from CBC News – Manitoba includes three videos, including a CBC News report. For more information see the Flipside VR website and YouTube channel and the Bucko Comedy website. –Matthew] [Image: Lauren Cochrane (left) plays Genefur while Aaron Merke (right) plays 2B in the virtual reality created cartoon Super Secret Science Island. (Credit: Ronnie Abelada).] Virtual reality TV show created in Winnipeg on way to international convention ‘It’s just making an animation using your body, instantly,’ says actor By Teghan Beaudette, CBC News Posted: Jun 20, 2017…

[This story from Wired suggests an important advancement in the ability of technology to evoke presence; the original version includes two different images, and a press release is available from Varjo. –Matthew] [Image: Left, a virtual scene in a typical modern VR display; right, the same scene in Varjo’s high-resolution display. Source: Varjo via The Verge.] Has This Stealth Company Solved Vision-Quality VR? Eter Rubin June 19, 2017 When Urho Konttori handed me the VR headset, I almost laughed. The founder and CEO of some Finnish company I’d never heard of had just told me he and his team of…

[Researchers at Tohoku University have created a robot that teaches people how to dance, which involves not only complex physical interactions but (arguably) medium-as-social-actor presence. The story is from New Scientist, with additional details from coverage by the Daily Mail. For more information see videos from Quartz and the researchers on YouTube, and of course the published paper. –Matthew] Waltzing robot teaches beginners how to dance like a pro By Edd Gent 24 May 2017 Got no one to dance with? Not to worry – you might soon be gliding through the moves, thanks to a robotic instructor designed to…

[In addition to the scope of the adoption of VR and presence to train employees, note the comments about the non-technology obstacles to adoption identified near the end of this story from Discovery Magazine’s Lovesick Cyborg blog. The original story includes an additional image, and see Walmart’s blog post for more information, more images and 0:52 minute video. –Matthew] [Image: Walmart plans for all of its training academies to incorporate virtual reality experiences by the end of 2017. Credit: STRIVR] Largest US Employer Adopts Virtual Reality Training By Jeremy Hsu June 14, 2017 Virtual reality technology that has helped train…

[This thoughtful piece by MT Technology Review writer Rachel Metz considers what it’ll take to make VR a successful platform for communication; the specific design choices will revolve around creating compelling spatial, social and self presence, and require a deep understanding of human nature (including its darker side). The original article includes an additional image. –Matthew] [Image: Credit: David Brandon Geeting] Virtual Reality’s Missing Element: Other People VR can be the basis of a new communications industry if the technology becomes less insular and isolating. by Rachel Metz June 14, 2017 Unlike most people, I have a virtual-reality headset. I…

[The ScreenX technology described in this story from Los Angeles Magazine (which includes a different image) is another attempt to create a strong sense of presence for media consumers. See also the press release via PRWeb. –Matthew] [Image: Source: Nerd Reactor] This is The Only Theater in L.A. Where the Movie Expands Beyond the Screen The new ScreenX technology has arrived at CGV Cinemas in Koreatown June 12, 2017 Lisa Beebe When I sat down at the CGV Cinemas in Koreatown (621 S. Western Ave.), I was sure I was in the wrong place. I was there to see a…

[This news release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham describes an impressive effort to take presence outside the lab to educate children in a vital skill. The original version of the story includes a second image and a 1:11 minute video. A related story can be found in a September 2015 post in ISPR Presence News. –Matthew] [Image: Students in a classroom in Changsha, China, test the Google Cardboard virtual reality training system.] UAB Professor Uses Latest Virtual Reality Technology to Improve Access to Pedestrian Safety Education Newswise (UAB News – University of Alabama at Birmingham Newsroom) 16-Mar-2017 BIRMINGHAM,…

[This story from The Guardian illustrates different ways presence technologies are being used in ‘high culture’ experiences; I think the use of 3D digital replicas of art works displayed in the reproduction of the historic Gothic home Strawberry Hill House is a compelling example of the blurring of authentic and artificial. The original story includes a second image. –Matthew] [Image: 3D replicas of 18th century portraits will be hung in Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham, the home of Horace Walpole. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian] Step inside Butterfly’s house in virtual reality opera night Arts are embracing cutting-edge tech in…

[The two stories below demonstrate the use of presence experiences in health care beyond the hospital or clinic. The first is from VR Fitness Insider, where the original includes more images; for more information see coverage in the Los Angeles Times. –Matthew] VR Can Lower Blood Pressure (You Read That Right) A VR Smart phone app educating patients about the best and worst foods to eat in the context of blood pressure? Yes! By Patrick Ryan June 2, 2017 When virtual reality first debuted, few people thought this technology had the potential to transform medical treatment and improve the human…