[University of Maryland researchers have identified brain wave patterns that correspond to a known cause of cybersickness; the patterns may help technology designers to predict and reduce cybersickness symptoms for virtual and augmented reality users in real time. Follow the link to the research report for more details. –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Illustration by Olivia Mercurio] UMD Researchers Identify Brain Signals Linked to Cybersickness in Immersive Environments Findings from a real-time brain wave study could help virtual and augmented reality designers detect and reduce dizziness, nausea and other symptoms. By Jennifer HollandOctober 22, 2026 For years, developers of virtual reality (VR)…

[At Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia, a student’s experience eventually led to a new presence-based approach to teaching graduate students how to guide counseling sessions with clients. See the original version of this story for three more images. For more information see the websites of the ODU Department of Counseling and Human Services, the new XR Lab, and Bodyswaps.  –Matthew] How Virtual Reality is Reshaping Counselor Education By Mindy Ayala-DiazOctober 9, 2026 A headset settles over counseling graduate student Lindsey Rodil’s eyes. In a moment, she will find herself across from a client named Santiago, an anxious-looking man sitting…

[A new report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) provides some useful context regarding the evolution and applications of robots, including humanoid robots that are arguably most likely to evoke medium-as-social-actor presence. The organization’s press release is below; see the original version for a 12:05 minute video of the IFR press conference at World Robotics 2026 (also on YouTube) and for downloads that include a large infographic-filled slide deck. –Matthew] Global Sales of Professional Service Robots Surge 24% 117,000 Transport and logistics’ robots lead as top application Frankfurt, September 30, 2026 — Global shipments of professional service robots increased…

[This story from Drexel University here in Philadelphia describes how researchers are using virtual reality to provide presence experiences with different types of natural (and a control) environment, and physiological measures and questionnaires to assess participants’ responses, with some interesting findings and questions for future research. Follow the link to the new publication for more details. –Matthew] [Image: Virtual reality with fNIRS in Ayaz lab. Credit: Daniel Traub] What Can Virtual Reality Teach Us About Nature’s Restorative Health Benefits? Well-Curated Spaces With Natural Elements Can Create an ‘Aroused Fascination,’ says Drexel Study in Partnership with Longwood Gardens October 16, 2026…

[Oprah Winfrey is bringing a new kind of immersive experience to the Las Vegas Sphere next April. The basic details are in this story from Deadline; more information and background are in the excerpts from coverage in Variety, People and USA Today that follow below. Her press announcement is available at the Oprah website. –Matthew] [Image: Source: Variety] Oprah Winfrey Heads To Las Vegas Sphere With New Immersive Experience By Jill Goldsmith, Co-Business EditorSeptember 14, 2026 Oprah Winfrey‘s AHA, a new live immersive experience created in collaboration with a global collective of musicians, artists and storytellers will debut at Sphere…

[The new approach to telepresence and early research described in this story from Bioengineer.org could substantially expand the sense of touch possible in telepresence experiences. As the story notes, “If these ideas can be scaled and reliably integrated, telepresence may begin to feel less like looking through a window and more like extending the body into another place. For more details see the new publication and a shorter summary from Inavate titled “Could virtual meetings one day come with a real handshake?” –Matthew] Neuromorphic tactile sensors and haptic displays deliver distributed touch feedback in telepresence By BioengineerAugust 20, 2026 A…

[Note the one direct and many indirect mentions of presence in this first-person report from Upload about what it’s like to watch a new sports-related documentary series on a Meta 3 VR headset. See the original version of the story for a second image and a video trailer for the series (also on YouTube). –Matthew] Open Season On Draymond Green Shows How Well VR Docuseries Can Work By Craig StormOctober 2, 2026 Meta’s new docuseries, Open Season on Draymond Green, premiered September 29 on the TV app on Meta Quest. The series follows four-time NBA Champion Draymond Green through six…

[Results of a new study suggest that media users have parasocial interactions (a one-way form of social presence), and form parasocial relationships, not just with hosts and characters on traditional television or social media influencers but podcast and other media creators. The striking result is in the headline of this post and the press release from Wondery below. The free, colorful 14-page research report is available at the link below. Here’s the report’s introduction: “What is a creator? Is it the self-taught makeup artist posting tutorials? The retired scientist broadcasting live experiments? An award-winning journalist sourcing audience Q&A? The answer…

[As reported in this story from UploadVR, 360 degree videos don’t have to be true 3D (and of course they don’t allow the user to control the viewpoint of the camera as in virtual reality), but they can still provide a strong sense of presence, in this case at the at the football stadium of the New York Giants before or during a game. See the original version of the story for three videos. –Matthew] New York Giants Bring Fans Onto The Field With 360° Video By Craig StormOctober 7, 2026 It’s the opening game of the 2026 NFL season…

[This story from Amusements & Attractions describes the company Mirra Immersive’s model for large, virtual reality “arena” attractions that feature gameplay and large LED displays that engage spectators. See the original story for three more images, and visit the MirraArena website for much more information. –Matthew] [Image: A MirraArena installed at a Jackie Chan Theater in China] Involving the spectator in virtual reality Mirra Immersive’s room-scale virtual reality is seeing success after expanding into the Chinese market. By Lee WildSeptember 21, 2026 By Sam Wang’s own admission, MirraArena is deliberately different… The large-scale, immersive, premium virtual reality experience is truly…

[This story from MIT News describes a new technology in which optical fibers within a flexible sheet enable precise tracking of changes in the shape of the sheet, which “could be fashioned into a soft and pliable garment that a user could comfortably wear to physically control a video game character or a tele-operated robot.” See the original version of the story for a 2:09 minute video (also available on YouTube). –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Courtesy of the researchers; edited by MIT News] Shape-sensing sheet digitally tracks its movement as it bends and twists Developed by MIT engineers, this flexible material…

[A new multi-method study shows that presence-evoking virtual reality can strengthen the ability of teachers of English as a Foreign Language to “use language appropriately in real-world situations.” As this news release from the journal ECNU Review of Education via EurekAlert! notes, the findings suggest the positive effects were not just the result of using a virtual environment but that “the simulations created opportunities for participants to make communicative choices within sociocultural situations, receive adaptive feedback, and reflect on why particular choices were appropriate in context.” See the original story for a second image and follow the links below to…