[Although I’d assumed they’re already an integral part of pilot training, this article from FLYING magazine notes resistance to, argues for, and predicts, greater use of virtual reality and other immersive technologies in the training of new pilots. See the original version of the story for a second image and two videos. –Matthew] [Image: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Preston Tower looks behind him at two jets flown by fellow MIT cadets in a mixed reality environment during a flying training session with the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Credit: U.S.…

[Two recent stories from Campus Technology describe partnerships between GigXR and universities to expand the development of presence-evoking, safe-to-fail holographic simulations for medical training. The original version of the first story below includes a one-minute video (also available via YouTube). For more details, a 37 minute December 2020 GigXR Holographic Standardized Patients webinar from HealthySimulation.com is available via YouTube. –Matthew] [From Campus Technology] University of Cambridge, Cambridge Hospitals Partner with GigXR to Co-Create Holographic Simulation Medical Training By Kristal Kuykendall January 6, 2022 GigXR, a global provider of extended reality (XR) solutions for instructor-led teaching and training, has partnered with…

[The first video of the humanoid robot Ameca went viral at the end of 2021 (see a summary of coverage from a December 3 ISPR Presence News post). Now Ameca has appeared for the first time in public at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, where the author of this story from CNET interviewed both the robot and the director of operations of the company that created it, Engineered Arts. See the original story to watch the nine minute interview (also available on YouTube) and search online for other videos. While the company purposely made Ameca look less like a human…

[Disney’s new “Virtual World Simulator” patent describes a sophisticated projection mapping system that can track multiple users and project personalized three-dimensional images to create augmented reality illusions without the need for a headset, phone or other user device. This story from SiliconValley.com provides details and context (and the original version includes two different images). IGN’s coverage adds this: “In addition to creating immersive theme park experiences, Disney’s patent also appears to note that the technology could be adapted for home use. The patent states that the virtual world simulator could be used to enable the transformation of a real-world venue,…

[BMW has unveiled a car that can change colors, with some reports (e.g., see DesignTAXI) reassuring us that the video demonstration is real and not the result of CGI or other special effects. The details are in the VentureBeat story below, which also describes new presence-evoking technology developed for the interior of BMW vehicles. Watch the color-changing technology in videos in the original story and from DPC Cars and the BMW Blog via YouTube. For even more details, images and videos see the company’s press releases about the exterior and interior technologies. –Matthew] BMW unveils car that can change its…

[Beyond the scientific findings from a new study that used virtual reality to explore how blind people orient themselves in space, this short story from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) suggests important benefits of using the experimental stimulus (and variations of it) to provide new presence experiences to this segment of the population for both rehabilitation and entertainment. See the original version of the story for a one-minute video (also available on YouTube). –Matthew] IIT: Virtual reality archery is “Braille” for orientation of blind people The new platform was developed by researchers at IIT in order to understand how…

[The TechRadar story below describes a new wireless haptic vest designed to be more immersive and more comfortable than similar existing products; the author of the ExtremeTech story that follows it is more skeptical. But it seems extremely likely that if it’s not the OWO Game vest it’ll be another product that enhance the user’s presence experience and the TechRadar story makes the interesting observation about how the new level of realism will “make us approach our VR experiences differently.” –Matthew] This award-winning VR shirt promises a level of immersion we aren’t ready for Owo’s haptic vest will make games…

[This 9Honey story from Australia describes the heartwarming use of telepresence robots to allow loved ones to “be together” at family weddings when COVID and other factors would otherwise make it impossible; see the original story for several more pictures. –Matthew] [Image: Will Trott parks up for the wedding speeches. Credit: James Field Photography] How robots are helping guests attend weddings from kilometres away: ‘I had front-row seats’ By Shelley Thomas December ~3, 2021 For Sydneysider Will Trott, attending his little sister’s wedding at a working sheep and cattle station south of Adelaide transformed into a “highly emotive” out-of-body experience.…

[Although the term metaverse is being used broadly to refer to social virtual worlds (see Mashable’s story on the evolution and current definitions of metaverse), you can experience New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Times Square online with other people in (at least) two ways this year. The Bloomberg story below describes MetaFest 2022, drawing in part from a press release available via Business Wire; for more information see the event’s website. A different experience from the same company is available for the second year using the VNYE website and app; details are in another press release via Business…

[Of course it’s already virtual because it’s a video (!), but this short DesignTAXI story describes an impressive (and eerie) 1:21 minute demonstration that illustrates how well a 3D scan of a physical object can mimic the object itself. The video is available in the original story or via Vimeo. See the M-XR website, particularly the Projects page, for more information (if you want to get your own object scanned, see the Technology page). –Matthew] Is This Christmas Card Real Or Virtual? We Can’t Tell By Mikelle Leow December 22, 2021 An incredible digital project will change everything you know…

[Somewhere between viewing a film in a traditional movie theater and exploring an interactive virtual environment experienced via a head-mounted display is VR Cinema. This Spectrum News story is about one company providing the latter experience in a growing number of venues. See the Positron website for more details. –Matthew] LA-based Positron continues to roll out virtual reality motion chairs By Joseph Pimentel December 7, 2021 LOS ANGELES — Soon, you may only need to visit your local movie theater to see what it feels like to be on top of Machu Picchu. Just hop on Positron’s virtual reality motion…

[Here’s a Christmas-themed take by The National on news about telepresence robotics company Cyberselves. For more news, including about how the company will compete in next year’s $10 million finals of the ANA Avatar XPRIZE, see the Cyberselves website. And for demonstration videos see the company’s YouTube channel (the video “Cyberselves DASA Project Summary” is a good place to start).  –Matthew] Robotics help keep Santa out of trouble ROBOTICS experts are using the latest technology to help Santa make his North Pole workshop Covid-compliant and avoid any embarrassing chimney-related incidents tonight. By Gregor Young 24th December 2021 The National Robotarium in…