Metaverse, the workplace of the future - Holoportation, the next generation of communication

Is the metaverse the workplace of the future, or our next digital addiction? This talk explores both the promise and the peril.

#1about 4 minutes

The personal and historical origins of virtual reality

Early personal computers sparked creativity, leading to the pioneering work of Jaron Lanier who laid the foundation for today's metaverse technologies in the 1990s.

#2about 2 minutes

The evolution from web conferencing to immersive meetings

The widespread adoption of video conferencing during the COVID pandemic set the stage for the metaverse as the next evolution in workplace communication.

#3about 2 minutes

Defining the core concepts of mixed reality

Mixed reality combines the best of the physical and virtual worlds by merging technologies like augmented reality, augmented virtuality, and virtual reality.

#4about 2 minutes

Understanding avatars, digital twins, and holoportation

Avatars are graphical representations in virtual space, which become digital twins or enable holoportation when they realistically mirror a person's appearance and gestures.

#5about 3 minutes

How Microsoft Mesh enables collaborative computing

Microsoft Mesh creates shared holographic experiences that provide a sense of felt presence, allowing users to collaborate from anywhere on any device.

#6about 3 minutes

Exploring business applications for mixed reality

Mixed reality enables powerful business use cases including immersive meetings, hands-on training simulations, enhanced learning, and remote expert support.

#7about 3 minutes

The technology stack powering the metaverse

The metaverse is built on a stack of hardware like VR helmets, a core platform with APIs for developers, and integrated applications like Microsoft Teams.

#8about 2 minutes

The current state and future of MR hardware

While current metaverse hardware can be clunky, devices like the Apple Vision Pro are advancing the field with superior graphics and intuitive hand-gesture controls.

#9about 3 minutes

A future vision of holoportation for human connection

A Microsoft Research demonstration showcases the potential of holoportation to create emotionally resonant connections between people separated by distance.

#10about 2 minutes

The far future of biotech and AI-enhanced abilities

Future advancements may involve implanted chips and AI integration to provide new capabilities like universal language translation or sensory aids for people with disabilities.

#11about 1 minute

Considering the societal risks of immersive technologies

The immersive nature of the metaverse poses significant risks, including the potential to exacerbate digital addiction and negatively impact mental health.

#12about 2 minutes