These days, virtual reality and teleportation are becoming less science fiction and more science fact. Development of these futuristic technologies has been ramping up, and tech leaders like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg have commented on what that may mean for the future of virtual reality tourism, meetings and events.
Microsoft is the latest to get involved in this market by presenting its groundbreaking holoportation technology, which the company claims will radically change the way we communicate. According to Microsoft, “holoportation is a new type of 3D capture technology that allows high-quality 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed and transmitted anywhere in the world in real time.”
What makes holoportation truly remarkable is that users will be able to see, hear, speak to and interact with each other as if they were in the same room, having a normal face-to-face conversation—even if they are separated by oceans and continents. The technology uses multiple 3D cameras to capture footage of the remote user from different angles. The images are instantaneously combined to create an accurate real-time 3D model of the user. While wearing a headset, the subject’s partner will be able to see the subject as if they were standing in the room with them. In addition to being used for real-time communication, Microsoft’s holoportation technology allows users to replay previous interactions—making Star Wars-type holograms a reality.
Although nothing beats a face-to-face meeting, it’s easy to see what this technology can do for meeting planners. People who are unable to attend a seminar, keynote speech or press conference in person will be able to experience it as if it were happening right in front of them. Meeting planners and other business travelers who are constantly on the road can also use the tech to stay connected with headquarters.
Below is a video demonstration of holoportation:
