The status of Project Starline, Google’s 3D video calling booths had been somewhat in doubt for the last year. The project had been wrapped up in a reorganization at Google a year ago, involving Google’s AR and VR initiatives along with the internal R&D group known as Area 120. Then in September, Google drastically cut Area 120 projects, leaving the state of Project Starline unknown. Even within the company, people weren’t sure if the project was still around.
Fast forward to October this year, and we find Google announcing expansion of real-world tests. An early access program will see Starline being used in the offices of various Google enterprise partners, including Salesforce, WeWork, T-Mobile and Hackensack Meridian Health.
Project Starline is basically a holographic video chat offering for one-on-one communications. Using 3D imagery, high-resolution cameras, custom depth sensors and a light field display, Starline creates a lifelike experience without requiring a headset.
While it’s still unclear how or when Google ever plans to commercialize the Starline technology, some observers think just the fact that Google has made a nod in this direction – i.e., no headsets, no avatars, and working to present people as they are – is a validation of sorts, a suggestion that this type of virtual meeting offering is really what the market wants.
Read more about it on TechCrunch here.
And here’s Googles own take from their Blog