Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Does throwing my voice make you want to shop here?

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba discovered a phenomenon where moving a virtual assistant's voice closer to users increases customer rapport, contrasting with traditional ventriloquism effects. This 'mouth-in-the-door' effect can be used to enhance user experience in virtual commerce scenarios.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Are we there yet? Time slows down on a crowded train

Research finds that crowding on public transit makes time seem to pass more slowly, with rushed commutes feeling significantly longer. The study used virtual reality simulations of subway rides and found that crowded trips took around 10% longer than less crowded ones.

Single-cell-driven tri-channel encryption meta-displays

A POSTECH research team developed single-cell-driven tri-channel encryption meta-displays, which project different images depending on where you look at them. These displays overcome the limitations of conventional metasurfaces by combining amplitude modulation and geometric phase manipulation.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

NJIT experts in augmented reality help train caretakers for the elderly

NJIT Assistant Professor Salam Daher is using augmented reality technology to train caretakers for the elderly. The project aims to improve communication and empathy skills through a digital model of an older person that responds to emotions and environment. The system will be tested to investigate its impact on patient outcomes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Smelling in VR environment possible with new gaming technology

A new VR gaming technology has been developed that enables players to smell in virtual environments, using an olfactometer that can be printed on 3D printers. This allows for the creation of scent-based game mechanics based on player movements and judgments.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Who do you think you are? What does your avatar say about you?

A Trinity College Dublin study explores the intersection of identity, technology, and social dynamics in social virtual reality. Researchers found that avatars can represent intersecting characteristics, influencing users' social interactions and belonging to certain groups.

Patients experiencing virtual reality immersion during hand surgery required less anesthetic to keep pain at bay, indicating the potential of this non- pharmacologic distraction technique

Patients undergoing virtual reality immersion during hand surgery required significantly less anesthetic to manage pain, suggesting its potential as a non-pharmacologic distraction method. The study compared VR immersion to monitored anesthesia care and found no significant differences in post-operative pain or anxiety levels.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Can eyes on self-driving cars reduce accidents?

A new study at the University of Tokyo suggests that robotic eyes on autonomous vehicles can help pedestrians anticipate a vehicle's intentions, leading to safer crossings. The experiment found that participants made more cautious decisions when faced with moving eyes, with some males even reporting feeling safer.

An audiovisual journey with the MEMEX travelling exhibition

The MEMEX project promotes social cohesion by using AI and interactive tools to share community stories linked to cultural heritage. The exhibition features audio-visual stories from Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris, and Genoa participants who co-created their own digital content.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Optical rule was made to be broken

Engineers at Rice University have discovered a way to manipulate light at the nanoscale that surpasses the traditional Moss rule for optical materials. The researchers found that iron pyrite has a high refractive index, making it suitable for applications such as virtual reality and 3D displays.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New mining professor wins SME career boost grant

Associate Professor Angelina Anani has won a $300,000 career development grant from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration to support her research on mine planning and operations. She plans to use virtual and augmented reality technologies to optimize industry decisions and minimize risks.

Perception depends on whether you are looking up or down

A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that the human visual system flexibly modulates observers' perception according to their posture. The research used the Necker cube as a visual stimulus and found a significant difference in probability of perception depending on the viewing posture, with a bias towards looking up.

Zapping our tastebuds can help reduce our salt intake

A Japanese research team has developed a chopstick-shaped device that uses weak electrical charges to stimulate the tongue's saltiness. The study found that individuals following a low-sodium diet can reduce their salt intake by 30% through electric taste stimulation, enhancing the full flavor of salty foods.

Supernumerary virtual robotic arms can feel like part of our body

A study from Japan's University of Tokyo reveals that users can form a strong sense of ownership with virtual robotic arms, expanding their perceived personal space. The research aims to inform the design of real-life supernumerary robotic limb systems that people can use naturally.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Third and fourth robotic arms feel like a part of the user’s own body

A research team has developed supernumerary robotic arms that users can feel as part of their own body, expanding the possibilities for human augmentation. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that users can embody artificial objects and perceive them as extensions of their own body.

Training virtually can reduce psychosocial stress and anxiety

Researchers from Tohoku University found that virtual training can decrease psychosocial stress response and lower anxiety levels, comparable to real exercise. The study used immersive virtual reality to simulate physical activity, inducing physiological changes and cognitive benefits in young healthy subjects.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Haptics device creates realistic virtual textures

Researchers developed a preference-driven model that uses human users to fine-tune virtual textures, allowing for more accurate and personalized tactile experiences. The technology has applications in various fields, including video games, fashion design, and surgical training.

Mixed reality: US company Snap Inc. endows TU Graz professorship

Snap Inc has endowed a professorship at TU Graz to develop visionary software methods in camera technology and explore new approaches to visual information processing. The professorship will pursue new application ideas for mixed reality, including the fusion of photos with computer-generated content.

Algorithms empower metalens design

A new approach using artificial intelligence generates designs automatically, allowing researchers to create complex metasurfaces with billions of nanopillars. This enables the development of larger, more complex metalenses for virtual reality and augmented reality systems.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Using virtual reality for anger control

A new study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that virtual reality-based Anger Exposure Training reduced anger provoked by angry expression in both high and low aggression groups. Mindfulness Training also increased comfort levels in both groups, according to the researchers.

Bringing health care’s vision of tomorrow into focus

A new $5 million center, MIXR, aims to develop, test and certify XR technologies in medicine and healthcare. The collaboration between academia, industry and government will improve medical training, patient management and health outcomes.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Immersive VR: Empowering kids to survive in fire, flood, and war

A new virtual reality (VR) experience is educating children aged 10-12 about bushfires, helping them learn how to be safer in emergencies. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of immersive VR experiences in delivering positive learning outcomes for primary children.

How did visitors experience the domestic space in Pompeii?

A team recreated a 3D model of an ancient Roman house and tracked the gaze of participants as they viewed it, uncovering details about the owner's personal power and status. The study uses VR and eye-tracking technology to gain insights into the past.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Active video games provide alternative workout

A study from the University of Georgia shows that exergaming can increase satisfaction and autonomy in exercise, leading to increased physical activity and motivation. The research followed participants who were randomly assigned to either exergame or traditional aerobics classes for six weeks.

You're doing it wrong: you need to compare apples to oranges

Ben-Gurion University researchers found that participants overwhelmingly preferred virtual reality for short-term cognitive tasks, but split over the long term. A combination of both virtual reality and socially adaptive robots may be key to keeping people engaged in remote cognitive training.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Smoking before and after conception is linked to delayed embryonic development

A study published in Human Reproduction found that smoking by mothers during the periconceptional period is associated with delayed embryonic development, smaller foetuses at the 20-week ultrasound scan, and lower birth weights. The delay in embryonic development was found to have a greater impact in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Facial recognition technology taken to the next level in virtual reality

Researchers developed a system using facial expressions to manipulate objects in virtual reality environments, outperforming handheld controllers in terms of immersion. The technique has potential applications for people with disabilities, including amputees and those with motor neurone disease, allowing hands-free interactions.

Flies possess more sophisticated cognitive abilities than previously known

Researchers at UC San Diego's Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind discovered that fruit flies possess more sophisticated cognitive abilities than previously known. Using virtual reality and real-time brain imaging, they found attention, working memory, and conscious awareness-like capabilities in flies.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Virtual tours make pig farming more transparent

Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that virtual farm tours using virtual reality glasses and tablets can improve transparency in pig farming. Participants appreciated the comfortable and entertaining information intake, but suggested that additional explanations be provided to support virtual farm tours.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.