Given that 64 percent of workers say that the flexibility to work remotely directly impacts their decision to remain or quit a job, businesses will increasingly enable flexible work arrangements. However, this presents a problem for teams whose work (like designing or learning with a physical object) requires hands-on collaboration
Immersive technologies could address this issue by allowing remote workers to meet ‘in person’ via digital channels. One of the newest solutions to meet this use case is Webex Hologram by Cisco, launched in October 2021. With the holographic capabilities of Webex Hologram, users may now engage in ways that were previously possible only while being physically pr
Understanding Cisco Webex Hologram
Webex Hologram is a real-time meeting solution that combines feature-rich Webex meeting capabilities with immersive 3D holograms using augmented reality headsets.
As the title suggests, Webex Hologram would use augmented reality (AR) glasses to create immersive 3D holograms. Users created this new tool to assist teams who demand more hands-on participation during meetings, which is impossible while working remotely.
Cisco also anticipates that Webex Hologram will facilitate the remote training of clinicians to utilize new surgical instruments. There have been several advancements in commonly used meeting systems such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams to enhance remote work; however, these features are insufficient – they still have limitations. Cisco’s solution is ready to market and now available to early adopters by signing up on the Webex Project Workplace website.
Importantly, Magic Leap is a featured platform part of the launch of the new service. The Magic Leap AR technology will assist in integrating Cisco’sCisco’s Webex meeting capabilities with its current immersive 3D holograms.
Key Features of Cisco Webex Hologram
The Webex Hologram solution offers the following key capabilities:
- The ability to render interactive 3D holograms – A presenter or meeting organizer may share physical and digital information using Webex Hologram, enabling users to participate in the development and interact. Consider architecture as an example. Participants may view and offer input on the specifications of a working prototype of an architectural design that is presented through an augmented reality (AR) experience. During the immersive experience, users may exchange various architectural representations of the building’s sections and other digital materials.
- Collaborating in AR – Webex Hologram delivers photorealistic, real-time holograms of genuine people, unlike 2D and virtual meeting experiences available today. Compared to employing avatars, this provides participants with a more interesting and realistic interaction. This can make an enormous impact on training and problem-solving.
- Multidimensional experience – Support for a “1:many” presenter experience allows numerous people to participate remotely. In contrast to previous services, each user concurrently obtains a multidimensional experience.
- XR headset agnostic – Webex Hologram is compatible with market-leading augmented reality (AR) devices, including Magic Leap and Microsoft HoloLens. Both sides will need AR headsets to participate in the holographic conference.
- Seamless integration with the Webex suite – Webex Hologram will shortly be added to the Webex Suite, allowing remote and hybrid employees to participate in immersive sessions using their preferred augmented reality (AR) gear. Over the last year, Webex by Cisco released about a thousand new features and devices to the market. It continues to develop with new technologies that seamlessly expand its functionality.
Use Cases for Webex Hologram
Webex Hologram by Cisco unlocks the following key benefits for collaborators:
- Inspiring creativity and inspiration by replicating the closeness of a face-to-face encounter
- Globally expanding businesses by fostering borderless cooperation and work
- Facilitating and improving remote design reviews and training
Interestingly, a similar solution debuted in 2020 to solve a business problem for one of Cisco’sCisco’s customers. The European House – Ambrosetti hosts over 500 events annually, discreetly bringing together the world’s most significant individuals. The premier event is conducted over three days in early September at the stunning Villa d’Ested’Este overlooking Lake Como. The event scheduled for March 2020 had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The European House: Ambrosetti collaborated with Cisco to produce a “phygital” event that combined physical and digital elements. Cisco Webex is used to develop the solution. Remote participants join the event by selecting the Cisco Webex virtual room corresponding to their chosen language, facilitating simultaneous translation. A Cisco Webex DX80 gadget connects 60 speakers, including the generation of a live hologram.
At that time, The hologram was enabled by the Italian technology startup Naumachia, which was connected with Cisco Webex’sWebex’s open innovation platform. Webex Hologram could have similar use cases for virtual events, webinars, and live collaboration.
When Can You Start Using Webex Hologram?
In this Cisco demonstration video, viewers can see how Webex Hologram elevates the virtual conference experience to that of an in-person meeting.
Cisco is in the early stages of hologram development. Six Cisco Webex customers are currently evaluating Hologram meetings. Soon, the business will extend its beta test to 50 partners and then to 250 clients before releasing Webex Hologram to the public.
Cisco is working on the capture array component of the equation with its clients, who are attempting to determine the most effective methods for collecting 3D photos of participants involved and the things they may be discussing or collaborating on together.
Similarly, cloud computing and network speeds will increase. There may be a decrease in the cost of capture arrays. With an early-mover advantage, Webex and Cisco will be ready when genuine holographic meetings become more feasible in a few years.
