This week’s top Virtual Reality stories: talk to the dead, inspect Tudor artifacts, visit enchanted forests, and more!

Virtual Reality has never been bigger than it is right now, and it’s one of the most exciting new areas of technology. VR offers an incredible experience for users, and for creators, it presents an unparalleled amount of freedom to experiment with new ideas and applications. We’re seeing exciting developments in the field every day, so to help you keep pace with everything that’s going on, we’ve created This Week in Virtual Reality, a curated list of key stories in the space. New posts will be published here first, and previous posts are archived on the Udacity blog.

Whether you’re already in the field, considering a VR career, or just interested in the subject, This Week in Virtual Reality is sure to have something to inspire you!

Healthcare

In Russia, researchers construct a virtual reality system for diagnosing multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease based on patients’ muscle movements and senses of balance.

Industry

At the 2016 IBC Conference, researchers show off the ability to transmit panoramic virtual reality experiences live via satellite, previewing a new way to watch live events.

Society

Project Elysium aims to replicate individuals’ personalities, voices, and mannerisms, allowing people to interact in virtual reality with avatars of the deceased.

Arts

Jon Favreau collaborates with virtual reality studios Wevr and Reality One to create “Gnomes & Goblins”, an interactive experience set in an enchanted forest.

Media

Jaron Gilinsky, founder and CEO of Storyhunter, predicts that virtual reality is the next frontier for video journalism, allowing reporters to tell stories like never before.

History

Scientists at Swansea University create “photogrammetric” models of Tudor artifacts from the Mary Rose, letting researchers examine the artifacts without damaging them.