Google testing Project Starline 3D video calling booths in more offices this year

In addition to a slew of Workspace updates at Cloud Next 2022, Google shared today that Project Starline is entering the “next phase of testing,” where more people outside the company can experience it.

Google Cloud considers the 3D video conferencing booth the “next frontier of collaborating and connecting from afar.” It leverages 3D imaging, real-time compression, spatial audio, and a light field display to virtually replicate in-person interactions. Last November, the company detailed more about the tech and shared photorealistic render comparisons.

…enables coworkers to feel like they are together, even when they are cities apart. It creates a 3D model of a person, making it feel like you are sitting with someone in the same room — not at the other end of a video call.

Project Starline has been tested for thousands of hours within Google and used daily across its US offices, while more than 100 enterprise partners across media, healthcare and retail have received demos.

The next testing step is “deploying units in select partner offices for regular testing” as part of an early access program. Partners named today that are getting prototypes include Salesforce, WeWork, T-Mobile, and Hackensack Meridian Health, with deployments occurring “starting this year.” A disclaimer in today’s post says Starline is “Not authorized by FCC rules. No sales or leases permitted until authorized.”

As we build the future of hybrid work together with our enterprise partners, we look forward to seeing how Project Starline can help people form strong ties with one another.

Starline, which is part of Google’s broader AR efforts, provides an alternative to remote work that involves headsets or taking meetings in virtual spaces. It makes sense that it’s eventually sold as a Google Cloud product/service. That said, Google is rumored to be working on such a headset and glasses.

We look forward to sharing more about what we learn from our early access program next year

More on Google AR:

• Google reorg creates new ‘Labs’ group focused on ‘high-potential, long-term projects,’ like AR
• Live View getting nearby search and elevated to the Google Maps search bar
• Google Lens getting ‘AR Translate’ and expanding Multisearch to more languages
• Google bringing ‘Immersive Stream for XR’ to AR/VR headsets