Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Smelling in VR environment possible with new gaming technology      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An odor machine, so-called olfactometer, makes it possible to smell in VR environments. First up is a 'wine tasting game' where the user smells wine in a virtual wine cellar and gets points if the guess on aromas in each wine is correct. The new technology can be printed on 3D printers.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Video games offer the potential of 'experiential medicine'      (via sciencedaily.com) 

After a decade of work, scientists have developed a suite of video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

An AI message decoder based on bacterial growth patterns      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Depending on the initial conditions used, such as nutrient levels and space constraints, bacteria tend to grow in specific ways. Researchers have created a new type of encryption scheme based on how a virtual bacterial colony grows with specific initial conditions.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Can eyes on self-driving cars reduce accidents?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Robotic eyes on autonomous vehicles could improve pedestrian safety, according to a new study. Participants played out scenarios in virtual reality (VR) and had to decide whether to cross a road in front of a moving vehicle or not. When that vehicle was fitted with robotic eyes, which either looked at the pedestrian (registering their presence) or away (not registering them), the participants were able to make safer or more efficient choices.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

New method for comparing neural networks exposes how artificial intelligence works      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team has developed a novel approach for comparing neural networks that looks within the 'black box' of artificial intelligence to help researchers understand neural network behavior. Neural networks recognize patterns in datasets; they are used everywhere in society, in applications such as virtual assistants, facial recognition systems and self-driving cars.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Optical rule was made to be broken      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers find a way to identify nanophotonic materials with the potential to improve screens for virtual reality and 3D displays along with optical technologies in general.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

City digital twins help train deep learning models to separate building facades      (via sciencedaily.com) 

To automatically generate data for training deep convolutional neural network models to segment building facades, researchers used a three-dimensional model and game engine to generate digital city twin synthetic training data. They found that a model trained on these data mixed with some real data was competitive with a model trained on real data alone, revealing the potential of digital twin data to improve accuracy and replace costly manually annotated real data.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

New chip-based beam steering device lays groundwork for smaller, cheaper lidar      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new chip-based beam steering technology that provides a promising route to small, cost-effective and high-performance lidar systems. Lidar, which uses laser pulses to acquire 3D information about a scene or object, is used in a wide range of applications such as autonomous driving, free-space optical communications, 3D holography, biomedical sensing and virtual reality. Researchers describe their new chip-based optical phased array (OPA) that solves many of the problems that have plagued previous OPA designs.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Augmented reality could be the future of paper books, according to new research      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Augmented reality might allow printed books to make a comeback against the e-book trend, according to researchers.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Engineers repurpose 19th-century photography technique to make stretchy, color-changing films      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new technique opens a door to manufacturing of pressure-monitoring bandages, shade-shifting fabrics, or touch-sensing robots

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Fiddler crab eye view inspires researchers to develop novel artificial vision      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Artificial vision systems are implemented in motion sensing, object detection, and self-driving vehicles. However, they are not suitable for changing external environments and are limited to a hemispherical field-of-view (FOV). Addressing this issue, researchers have now developed a novel artificial vision with 360-degree FOV that can image both terrestrial and aquatic environments. The system, modeled after the eye structure of the fiddler crab, could help realize the all-weather vision and panoramic object detection.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Robot dog learns to walk in one hour      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Like a newborn animal, a four-legged robot stumbles around during its first walking attempts. But while a foal or a giraffe needs much longer to master walking, the robot learns to move forward fluently in just one hour. A computer program acts as the artificial presentation of the animal's spinal cord, and learns to optimize the robot's movement in a short time. The artificial neural network is not yet ideally adjusted at the beginning, but rapidly self-adjusts.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Virtual reality app trial shown to reduce common phobias      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The trial studied phobia patients using a headset and a smartphone app treatment programme -- a combination of Virtual Reality (VR) 360-degree video exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Virtual reality technology could strengthen effects of traditional rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis      (via sciencedaily.com) 

By increasing sensory input and promoting multisensory processing, virtual reality may increase the effectiveness of traditional cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training in individuals with MS, according to researchers.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

'Fake' data helps robots learn the ropes faster      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In a step toward robots that can learn on the fly like humans do, a new approach expands training data sets for robots that work with soft objects like ropes and fabrics, or in cluttered environments.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Supernumerary virtual robotic arms can feel like part of our body      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a virtual robotic limb system which can be operated by users' feet in a virtual environment as extra, or supernumerary, limbs. After training, users reported feeling like the virtual robotic arms had become part of their own body. This study focused on the perceptual changes of the participants, understanding of which can contribute to designing real physical robotic supernumerary limb systems that people can use naturally and freely just like our own bodies.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Ultra-thin film creates vivid 3D images with large field of view      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new ultra-thin film that can create detailed 3D images viewable under normal illumination without any special reading devices. The images appear to float on top of the film and can be clearly viewed from all angles. The new imaging film uses a technology known as light-field imaging, which captures the direction and intensity of all rays of light within a scene to create a 3D image. With additional development, the new glass-free approach could be used as a visual security feature or incorporated into virtual or augmented reality devices.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Training virtually can reduce psychosocial stress and anxiety      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Everyone knows that exercise brings physical and psychological benefits. A new study suggests that virtual reality exercise induces similar effects, meaning those with limited mobility may be able to improve their mental well-being.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Staring at yourself during virtual chats may worsen your mood      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study finds that the more a person stares at themself while talking with a partner in an online chat, the more their mood degrades over the course of the conversation. Alcohol use appears to worsen the problem, the researchers found.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Study evaluates how to eliminate telemedicine's virtual waiting room      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have conducted a 10-week study to evaluate how text messaging a link to patients when their doctor is ready provides a way to connect patients and doctors without relying on the virtual waiting room.