Virtual Presence

VIRTUAL PRESENCE VIDEO
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"A growing number of products are attempting to create a sense of presence where users feel that remote objects are actually nearby, or synthetically created objects actually exist. Creating a sense of presence is often a goal for training simulators and thrill rides as well as virtual reality (VR) systems, home theatres, IMAX films, HDTV, and video arcade games. Remote communications, such as those enabled by videoconferencing systems, also attempt to create a sense that distant users are physically present, or at least can be treated that way during conversations. Creating a sense of presence is felt to be important because it makes products appear more natural, immediate, direct, and real."
http://www.andrewpatrick.ca/virtual-presence/presence-ideas.html

Virtual presence is becoming extremely popular in today's society. So far there are a handful of sources of technology that create this "virtual presence," but it can be assumed that the future will bring much more realistic and innovative ways to view "virtual" beings.