[This is a long but easy-to-read and extremely interesting Fast Company story by technology writer Mike Elgan about the return of Spiritualism, in which modern presence-evoking technologies are used to bring us closer to people who have died. Many of the examples have been the topic of previous ISPR Presence News posts but Elgan provides a valuable framework for understanding the larger phenomenon. See the original story for four videos. –Matthew] [Image: Source video: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels] How holograms, deepfakes, and AR are raising the dead As tech creates digital replicas of the deceased, a deep human need could be fulfilled—and…

[A virtual reality platform at Purdue University lets astronomy students connect from home and gather together in rich, scientifically accurate environments to learn. The project is described in this news release from Purdue, where the original version includes the mentioned 1:09 minute video (also on YouTube) and three different images. The students’ enthusiasm is obviously important but the next question is whether the system leads to enhanced learning. –Matthew] [Image: Animated gif showing class members waving from within virtual astronomy VR. Credit: Purdue University] Flying among the stars: Purdue University professor using virtual reality to teach astronomy Writer, Media contact:…

[This story from Wired is about how companies are using new software to replace or supplement visual collaboration platforms like Zoom to replicate the dynamics of being together (co-present) in a physical work or other space where spontaneous, informal interactions are possible. For more information see the websites for TeamFlow, Bonfire, and Pragli (which are mentioned here), coverage in Cassandra that adds Knock to the list, and the similar software Gather (I couldn’t find a website for Remotely, which is mentioned in the Wired story). –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Katty Huertas] Good-Bye Zoom. Hello Low-Key Ambient Snooping If you are missing…

[A press release from collectSPACE describes a new ambitious touring exhibition that will immerse visitors in a reproduction of the International Space Station using virtual reality footage shot by astronauts aboard the ISS; a version of the exhibit that can be experienced from home is also planned. See the original press release for two more images and 5:31 video (also available via YouTube) and for more information see Shore Fire Media and the project’s website as well as a 2019 ISPR Presence News post. –Matthew] International Space Station to go on tour with VR exhibit ‘The Infinite’ April 29, 2021…

[As several posts here over the years illustrate, presence has been used in several ways to diagnose and treat dementia, but a new project described in this story from Research Manitoba is investigating the use of telepresence robots by family caregivers to stay connected with and support those with mild to moderate dementia. Though there are potential drawbacks such as relying too much on the technology, I especially like the title of the Winnipeg Free Press story about the project: “Bots offer warm (tele)presence where needed: Pilot project aims to help people with dementia.” –Matthew] Robots Allow Family Members to…

[This entertaining first-person report from Laptop Magazine describes the author’s pursuit of adrenaline rushes in virtual reality; see the original story for seven more images. The author asks “Why isn’t there a bungee-jumping app?” While it’s not about an app, see the SoraNews24 story “New virtual reality attraction allows thrill-seekers to bungee jump off Tokyo Tower.” –Matthew] I acted like a reckless, immortal idiot in VR for a week — here’s what happened I searched for the ultimate adrenaline rush via Oculus Quest 2 By Kimberly Gedeon April 11, 2021 The pure chaos, lawlessness and anarchy of virtual reality (VR)…

[Although not photorealistic, the 3D display technology described in this story from Digital Trends produces what look like engaging presence illusions; see the original story for two more images and a 2:48 minute video (also available via YouTube). A story in Singularity Hub notes that “Dragon O has been used in a Lancome perfume launch, a game called Virus Killer, a nightclub in Berlin, and events in Shenzhen, Barcelona, and Munich.” See the LED Pulse website for much more information. –Matthew] This room-sized ‘hologram’ display generates enormous 3D images By Luke Dormehl April 1, 2021 Picture a beaded string curtain,…

[Because Zoom dominates the global market in remote meeting platforms (see a recent survey by EmailToolTester), it’s big news that the company has rolled out a new feature designed to make meetings feel more like they’re taking place in a familiar space than a grid of boxes. Engadget’s coverage starts this way: “When a feature works, chances are others will co-opt it. Last year, Microsoft followed in Zoom’s footsteps by adding virtual backgrounds to its Teams app. As a testament to the feature’s popularity, Google did the same by bringing the option to Education users on Google Meet. With competition…

[This blog post in AviationPros (by a company with vested interest) describes the many ways the aviation industry is using presence-evoking technologies to improve the safety and comfort of travelers. It’s been lightly edited to remove typos and add information for non-experts.  –Matthew] Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Solutions for the Aviation Industry Virtual and Augmented reality has become a great asset for aviation companies to provide better service and train their staff in a more accurate way. By Tecknotrove Systems April 22, 2021 Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology is evolving at a rapid rate and it…

[Texas A&M Today reports on what looks like a fun interdisciplinary team project to create engaging presence experiences for a good cause, to introduce young people to the excitement of engineering. As the last sentence says, “The retro rocket ride, built by students for students, will be a memorable example of the exciting things one can do, create and be with an education in STEM.” See the original story for two more images and a six minute video (also available via YouTube). –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Team Retro Rocket] Aggies Design Virtual Reality Flight Simulator For Outreach Texas A&M students are…

[Disney Research has developed sophisticated eye-contact behaviors to make humanoid robots seem more human. For a demonstration, see the one-minute video featured in the original version of this story from Popular Mechanics (the video is also available via YouTube). And apologies for the self-promotion but for more on medium-as-social-actor presence, see the new paper “Social Responses to Media Technologies in the 21st Century: The Media are Social Actors Paradigm” by Kun Xu and me in the journal Human-Machine Communication. –Matthew] [Image: Source: The Verge] Watch This Disney Robot Make the Most Convincing Eye Contact Ever It’s incredibly lifelike. And incredibly…

[Aside from enhancing the sense of presence for gaming and other applications, most of us can only imagine the tremendous value of the kind of technology described in this story from Tech Xplore for people who aren’t able to walk. See the original version of the story for a 40 second video and follow the link at the end to read the new paper. –Matthew] [Image: One of the research participants using the VR walking simulator and their corresponding movements in VR. Credit: Toyohashi University of Technology/The University of Tokyo] Researchers’ VR walking simulator feels surprisingly close to the real…