Google’s plan to change the way you interact with videoconferencing software has just been taken to the next level with the introduction of Project Starline to Google offices and other US locations.
Despite Meta’s growing success in the VR headset space, Google remains true to holographic forms. Google says its “magic window” allows users to “talk, gesticulate and make eye contact with another person, life-size and in three dimensions.”
Of course, the technology and equipment required for this can be quite expensive, encompassing machine learning, computational vision, spatial sound, and light field display systems, but all of them in tandem give us the most realistic representation to date.
Google design star line
Google believes that increasing communication metrics can help streamline meetings, saving businesses time and therefore money. In his own research, on average, he noticed around 40% more hand gestures, around 25% more head nods, and around 50% more eyebrow movements.
Internal testing at Google locations has been successful, and after several visits from commercial, media, and medical partners, the tech giant now hopes to roll out demos in offices other than its own. Its Early Access Program, starting this year, will install prototypes at Salesforce, WeWork, T-Mobile and Hackensack Meridian Health as the future of videoconferencing is nearing a reality.
In addition to building and sustaining corporate relationships, Google is seeing Starline stalls expand into customer-business relationships, and even “just sit down for a chat over coffee,” although it will likely be many years before this technology becomes commonplace in home environments.