VR can inspire environmental care - Weekly Mash-Up 178

How you can help the environment with a piece of cardboard on your face
Thomson Reuters Foundation

Ever wanted to know how it feels to stand on the edge of Niagara Falls or stare down the muzzle of a polar bear? Greenpeace has issued rainforest-themed ‘Virtual Explorer’ headsets to make nature more accessible to people, letting them experience first-hand the wonders of the natural world. The hope is that, having facilitated this interaction with nature, viewers will be compelled to take more active steps to protect and preserve nature as they see it in Virtual Reality. Read more

Artificial Intelligence is Completely Transforming Modern Healthcare
Futurism

AI isn't going to replace doctors anytime soon, but it is slowly making its way into the realm of modern healthcare and it might one day be considered the most important medical discovery in history. Already Google’s DeepMind is revolutionising eyecare, and IBM’s Watson is making accurate recommendations to cancer patients on par with human doctors. As deep learning continues to advance and make progress, the possibilities for Artificial Intelligence in healthcare are endless. Read more

Combine Lego with a Raspberry Pi to make the most nostalgic computer of all time
Wired

The limits of technology have once again been stretched, this time with an upgrade to the iconic toy, Lego. Programmer Jannis Hermanns has taken Lego building to the next level with a Wi-Fi enabled, upgradeable computer model. Made while playing with his son, the result was a deeply nostalgic replica of the 1990 Macintosh Classic with its familiar white hue, a working screen, and the original coloured logo fixed in place. His ambitious project exemplifies the ethos at the heart of all Lego products – if you can dream it, build it. Read more

Gorillaz’ Music Video Breaks Record as Most Successful 360 Music Video Debut
Road to VR

Gorillaz have long been applauded for their history of successfully incorporating innovative technologies into their music and performances. In 2006, they made headlines with a holographic performance alongside Madonna and . Now, after a 5 year hiatus, their new music video has made headlines again as the Most Successful 360 Music Video Debut in Youtube 360’s short history. Within 48 hours they easily surpassed 3 million views, more than double the record set by Russian band ‘УСПЕШНАЯ ГРУППА’, at approximately 1.3 million. Read more