In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Dr. Oliver Schreer, who is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Berlin and Head of the Immersive Media & Communication Group at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, to explore how cutting-edge volumetric capture technology is being used to preserve Holocaust testimony in VR.

Dr. Schreer and his team developed two powerful VR experiences featuring Holocaust survivors: Eva Umlauf and Ernst Grube. Rather than relying on CGI avatars, they used high-fidelity volumetric capture to preserve the survivors exactly as they are—life-sized, realistic, and present. The result is not just immersive media, but a carefully designed encounter with living history and testimony.

We discuss:

• ​ How 32-camera volumetric capture systems reconstruct humans in 3D
• ​ The technical challenges behind real-time mesh reconstruction and texturing
• ​A subtle but powerful innovation that enables eye contact in VR
• ​The ethical boundaries of modifying testimonial data
• ​How people respond emotionally and cognitively to immersive testimony
• ​Whether VR should become part of educational curricula
• ​The future of real-time 3D video communication beyond Zoom and Teams

In this episode of Dr. VR, I take a deliberate turn toward a topic that has surfaced repeatedly on the show but has never been fully unpacked: artificial intelligence.

My guest, Claudette Hutchinson, is a Certified AI Lead Implementer and the founder of OwningMy, a platform designed to help people better understand, manage, and take ownership of their AI and digital interactions. Together, we explore what AI literacy really means beyond coding, why bias and representation matter in AI systems, and how these technologies can either widen existing gaps—or help close them.

We discuss AI in education, accessibility, and creative fields, including how AI can support learners who have been historically excluded, the risks of automated decision-making, and why personal responsibility and critical thinking remain essential. We also circle back to immersive technologies and XR, looking at how AI and immersive tools intersect to democratize creativity and participation.

This episode is about moving from fear to agency—and about who gets to shape the technologies defining our future.

"The Thrill of the Fight" is unquestionably one of the most iconic and authentic VR experiences ever created. Now, with "The Thrill of the Fight 2," the franchise is entering a bold new chapter.

In this episode, I dive deep into the making of TOTF2 with Creative Director Edward Vasquez, exploring how the video game company Halfbrick is evolving the raw, room-scale intensity of the original, fully developed by the one-man-army Ian Fitz, while introducing multiplayer, a full career mode, smarter AI, and a stronger sense of presence and narrative.

Edward shares his personal story of falling in love with boxing, the moment VR “clicked” for him, the challenges of designing real-time multiplayer combat, and why the version of TOTF2 available today represents only 10–15% of their full vision. We also break down embodiment, agency, player freedom, and what it means to design a VR experience that truly makes you feel inside the fight.

Whether you're a longtime fan of TOTF, a VR developer, or someone curious about the future of immersive sports, this conversation delivers exclusive insights, big reveals, and an inspiring look at where VR boxing is headed.