Zoom brings virtual reality mode with Oculus support

A new virtual reality mode for Zoom integrates Facebook's VR meeting software Workrooms into the popular video conferencing service. The aim is to make virtual meetings more social.

With Facebook Workrooms, Facebook is working on a VR telepresence service for the business world. The highlight: instead of just seeing each other as a flat video image on a 2D monitor, participants meet as avatars in a 3D environment - with realistic head and hand movements. This is intended to strengthen the feeling of togetherness.

According to Facebook's head of XR, Andrew Bosworth, VR telepresence has a social impact: in internal tests, conference participants sometimes arrive earlier or stay longer. This is more comparable to real conferences and is unusual for video calls.

Horizons supports VR and the normal monitor

Horizons is already integrated into Facebook's own corporate network Workplace. This means that even people without VR glasses can dial into a Workrooms session using a conventional video image. In virtual reality, their video is then displayed on a virtual screen just like in a real meeting room. Webcam participants look into the virtual meeting room and see the avatars of the other participants.

In Horizon, up to 16 VR avatars can meet with up to 36 video participants. Even the real keyboard and a table as well as the desktop monitor can be displayed in Workrooms.

Zoom goes virtual reality with Oculus

"The way we work is changing," says Mike Lebeau, Product Manager at Oculus, about the Zoom integration. "A lot of people are rethinking the importance of the office and we think virtual reality can play a big role in helping people collaborate."

The idea is not a new one: in 2019, for example, one of our Reports and other solutions are already on the market. Facebook now has to prove that more is possible and that VR avatars in real video calls are a useful feature in order to achieve a breakthrough. By cooperating with Zoom, Facebook is now significantly expanding the non-VR compatibility - and therefore the awareness and potential user base - of Horizon. The Oculus integration in Zoom will start next year.

Source: Mixed