Cisco introduces Webex Hologram, an augmented reality meeting solution

Cisco showcased a peek of its next-generation hybrid work collaboration technologies at WebexOne. Webex Hologram is the industry’s only real-time meeting solution that combines feature-rich Webex meeting capabilities with immersive 3D holograms using augmented reality headgear.

“Our mission at Cisco is to empower the 3 billion digital workers on the planet to participate equally from anywhere in the world,” said Osama Al-Zoubi, CTO, Cisco Middle East and Africa.

 “Webex Hologram represents a large step toward our mission of delivering a delivering a work experience so seamless that there is no gap between virtual and in-person collaboration.”

Organizations will increasingly offer flexible work arrangements, with 64 percent of employees believing that the opportunity to work remotely directly impacts whether they stay or leave a job. However, teams that require hands-on cooperation, such as design or training with a tangible object, have a challenge. Participants can now connect in ways previously only possible in person because of Webex Hologram’s holographic capabilities.

The necessity for businesses to deliver immersive virtual meetings has also increased as a result of global COVID-19 pandemic safety guidelines. When a new surgical gadget is released in the healthcare industry, physicians, technicians, sales, and support staff must be trained promptly. This training can be done remotely with Webex Hologram to save time and money while also allowing you to see the surgical instrument from every aspect and at its true size as if you were in the room with a physician.

Additional capabilities of Webex Hologram include:

• Immersive technology in-use today: Only Webex Hologram, unlike other 2D and virtual meeting experiences on the market today, provides a sense of co-presence by displaying photorealistic, real-time holograms of genuine people. In comparison to employing avatars, this means a more interesting and realistic experience for participants. When it comes to training and problem-solving, this can make all the difference.
• Ability to share physical and digital content: The presenter can communicate both physical and digital content with Webex Hologram, allowing users to co-create and actually collaborate. Take, for example, a car manufacturer. Participants can study and provide comments on the vehicle’s engine and undercarriage by interacting with a physical prototype presented in the AR experience. During the immersive experience, design representations of the car and other digital content can be shared.
• Multi-dimensional experience for multiple users Description Support for a “1:many” presenter experience that allows multiple users to participate remotely. In contrast to other services that limit usage to single angle views, each user enjoys a multi-dimensional experience at the same time.
• Headset agnostic: Webex Hologram works with industry-leading augmented reality devices like Magic Leap and Microsoft HoloLens.

Webex Hologram will be added to the Webex Suite soon, allowing remote and hybrid workers to participate in immersive experiences using their preferred AR headset. Webex by Cisco has released approximately 1,000 new features and devices in the last year, and it continues to innovate with new technology.