Cutting-Edge Remote Work Tech Enables Immersive Video Meetings

While virtual conferences can be more efficient than in-person ones, they lack the human touch of speaking face-to-face with a colleague. Cue the Project Ghost phone booth from Swiss computer company Logitech. Created specifically for video calls, it consists of a couch, a laptop table and a sheet of glass that functions as a screen – all nestled into a wooden pod-like structure. Using a Victorian-era mirror technique borrowed from theatre, the cubicle projects a lifelike image of the other video call participant onto the glass sheet, making them appear as a 3D holograph to the person sitting in the booth.

This unique form of projection tech is compatible with popular teleconferencing services, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet. Using technology that has existed for over 120 years, Project Ghost enables surprisingly immersive video calls without requiring workers to wear virtual reality headsets or create accounts on metaverse platforms. It can potentially herald a wave of vintage-inspired innovations that draw from historical sources to reimagine the future of digital communication.

Similarly, US computer manufacturer Nvidia debuted an eye-tracking function for livestreams and calls, which allows presenters to maintain eye contact with their audience when looking away from their screen. Based on studies stating that eye contact is important for fostering healthy relationships and human connections, the new feature uses artificial-intelligence-based tech to make it seem like the speaker’s gaze is fixed upon the camera, even as they read through their chat or notes.

As people settle into long-term remote work setups, expect to see a proliferation of engaging tech innovations adding a human touch to digital experiences.