Google has finally brought its ambitious Project Starline to market as Google Beam, a 3D video booth technology designed to enhance virtual meetings. After years of development, the company has managed to shrink the technology into a more affordable and user-friendly system.
Beam uses a light field display and six cameras to create a real-time 3D version of the person on the other end of a videocall. The device is powered by a Chrome OS computer puck and relies on Google’s AI model to stitch together the visuals. This technology has been tested with various companies, including HP, Salesforce, and Duolingo, which have committed to installing Beam units in their offices.
Google claims that its video model can process data in just two milliseconds, making it suitable for typical office internet speeds. The technology has also been shown to reduce “fatigue” from virtual meetings, as users experience more attentiveness, remember conversations better, and display nonverbal behaviors.
The device’s design is chunky but functional, with a bespoke AI model working with Google Cloud in the background. Beam’s long-term vision includes expanding its reach beyond offices to homes, with a focus on making remote meetings less painful. While there are limitations, such as limited group calling capabilities, Google aims to make Beam a real alternative to existing videoconferencing systems like Zoom and Meet.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/google/670587/google-beam-video-calling-3d-hands-on-office-hp