When it comes right down to it, entertainment is all about the sensory experience. It’s about feeling like we are there, even if we aren’t. The Wii has probably come the closest, but like other consoles, it leaves alot to be desired as far as fully immersing users. The Cocoon is a new VR system developed by NAU, which is a human-sized pod that you enter and it’s actually designed with videogames in mind.

The immersion and interactivity will take it light years beyond the Wii. It includes full 3D surround sound, and graphics as well as Internet connectivity, and could be the ultimate gaming environment to challenge friends from around the world. It may not show up in the home anytime soon, but when it does one future day, everything will change. Game graphics and audio are ready for it right now, but it’s the interactivity, interface, and total immersion that will set it apart. Most of Nintendo’s competitor’s were caught off guard with the Wii, but you can bet they are taking some serious looks at this future technology.

We’ve all heard about Microsoft’s Surface touchscreen table, but now the company seems to have been inspired by the Sensisphere. Check out Microsoft’s new Surface Sphere, a giant orb planetoid whose surface is a multitouch screen.

As the video shows, you can display movies and even play one freaky game of pong. Imagine all of the uses this thing could have. Like a 360 degree security cam viewer, teaching about planets by displaying every detail, displaying robot faces and so much more. All of these things we Sci-Fi geeks dreamed about as kids are coming true.

The only way this table could possibly get any better would be if it were black. That way it would actually look like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you forget about the legs anyway. Cinimod Studio’s Illuminating Table combines three dimensional arrays of interactive color movement controlled in real time by its environment.

You won’t have to use illegal substances to see pretty colors anymore, though I suppose if you do, you’ll just see more, maybe even freak out thinking you’re trapped inside the thing. Me, being the geek that I am, would put Star Trek ships on the table and pretend they’re getting sucked into a wormhole. Oh, and you could lay on it and thrash around, recreating several classic Sci-Fi scenes. Like Buck Rogers getting sucked into the future for instance.

Today, Sega Toys announced their plans to start selling a new humanoid robot in Japan, named E.M.A., on September 26th. E.M.A. stands for “Eternal, Maiden, Actualization” Translated that means, “Hi nerd. Here’s your new companion.”

The robot is of the female persuasion and stands at 38 cm tall. According to Sega, the E.M.A. is special because of her “glamorous body” and because she’s highly interactive. (Translation:Only a nerd could love that body and she kinda puts out.) She’ll sing and dance, hand out your business cards, even walk “like a lady”. I wasn’t kidding when I said she puts out. She won’t go all the way, though I’m sure some of you will force the issue, but she will kiss you if your head comes into close contact with her. That’s when the love mode switches on.

The Wall-E merchandising train is alive and kicking. We told you about the ultimate Wall-E and we really like that one, much like the Wall-E mp3 player. Well, they’ve taken it a bit further with the Wall-E and Eve interactive toys.

Now Wall-E and Eve get the chance to get all freaky with each other. InterAction Eve has light-up eye expressions, arm movements, and sound effects. She’ll respond when you talk to her or push her along. She even has a flying mode, where you can lift her up and hear authentic blasts and whooshes. Needless to say Wall-E will interact with her.

GestureTek is planning to unveil a prototype “Wii-LIKE GAME STICK” this week at the 2008 Toy Fair in New York. It uses a camera to detect 3D position and motion. With the technology being camera-based, players are able to see their real-time, full-body image on screen as they control 3-D simulations and interact with characters and other objects. Your body motion controls the program, for a more virtual experience.

On a creepy note, GestureTek says that it can even vision-equip dolls, stuffed animals or robots. You know, so they can …

To show off some interactive web experiences, you can perform some life-saving events on a bunny by trying to shock it back to life and then perform surgery, all under 60 seconds. Good luck.

link via Boing Boing