3 d. ago Merlin visitor attraction could boost south of Scotland economy by more than £20million

The Arthur Trail Association hopes to create The Merlin Experience near Beattock, with the virtual reality visitor centre also including an exhibition space and restaurant.

Economics

3 d. ago Virtual reality BDSM and arthouse orgasms: my night at House of ERIKALUST

As ethical porn director Erika Lust throws open the doors to an ‘immersive erotic experience’ in Barcelona, Arielle Domb visits to see if it can uncover her fantasies

Society

7 d. ago Chloe Brockett breaks silence on Jack Fincham split rumours and admits throwing headset at him

Chloe Brockett has revealed how her anger in a blazing row with TOWIE boyfriend Jack Fincham saw her launch a virtual reality headset at him - but she denied split rumours

Events

8 d. ago TOM UTLEY: Thanks to my craven weakness for booze and fags, my personal inflation rate is treble what most people pay

TOM UTLEY: How much do you tend to spend on yoga mats? What about virtual reality headsets, mangoes or pool sliders? If you're anything like me, your answer will be 'not a penny'.

Economics

1 week ago Virtual reality goggles helped me on the path to physical recovery

An unexpected bit of tech opened up a whole new world of possibilities for a frustrated, injured writer If you had asked me a month or two ago if I had ever had a spatial immersive experience, or what the chances were that at the age of 60, I would become an early adopter of virtual reality goggles, I would have said it was about as likely as a tech giant from Silicon Valley being appointed to “disrupt” the US federal government.Let me explain the unlikely series of events that led me to the latest in technology. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Free online virtual reality tool helps people tackle public speaking nerves

Cambridge scientist behind VR platform says it could help those put off by high cost of speech anxiety treatmentA free online platform that allows speakers to practise in front of thousands of virtual spectators has been released to help with the anxiety many feel when presenting to an audience.Dr Chris Macdonald, the founder of the Immersive Technology Lab at Cambridge University and who created the online platform, said the approach was an attempt to reduce the lengthy waits or high costs people often face when seeking help. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Virtual reality in solitary confinement isn’t a Black Mirror episode. It’s happening in California

Creative Acts works to get people out of prison with an unlikely tool reporting a 96% reduction in infractions from participantsOne Monday in July, Samantha Tovar, known as Royal, left her 6ft-by-11ft cell for the first time in three weeks. Correctional officers escorted her to the common area of the Central California Women’s Facility and chained her hands and feet to a metal table, on top of which sat a virtual reality headset. Two and a half years into a five-year prison sentence, Royal was about to see Thailand for the first time.When she first put on the headset, Royal immediately had an aerial view of a cove. Soon after, her view switched to a boat moving fairly fast with buildings on either side of the water. In the boat was a man with a backpack, and it was as if she were sitting beside him. With accompanying meditative music and narration, the four-minute scene took Royal across a crowded Thai market, through ancient ruins, on a tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled rickshaw) and into a...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘An ideal tool’: prisons are using virtual reality to help people in solitary confinement

Participants view scenes of daily life as well as travel adventures – then process the emotions they trigger through artOne Monday in July, Samantha Tovar, known as Royal, left her 6ft-by-11ft cell for the first time in three weeks. Correctional officers escorted her to the common area of the Central California Women’s Facility and chained her hands and feet to a metal table, on top of which sat a virtual reality headset. Two and a half years into a five-year prison sentence, Royal was about to see Thailand for the first time.When she first put on the headset, Royal immediately had an aerial view of a cove. Soon after, her view switched to a boat moving fairly fast with buildings on either side of the water. In the boat was a man with a backpack, and it was as if she were sitting beside him. With accompanying meditative music and narration, the four-minute scene took Royal across a crowded Thai market, through ancient ruins, on a tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled rickshaw) and into an elepha...

Events

3 w. ago Technology breakthrough as new device lets you taste cake in virtual reality

From cake to coffee to fish soup, the new device could enhance our perception of taste

Politics