Telecommunications

Videoconferencing system copies users’ head movements

Videoconferencing system copies users’ head movements
The MM-Space videoconferencing system features displays that physically move to reflect the head movements of the person onscreen
The MM-Space videoconferencing system features displays that physically move to reflect the head movements of the person onscreen
View 6 Images
1/6
The MM-Space display turns with the user's head
2/6
The MM-Space display turns with the user's head
The MM-Space videoconferencing system features displays that physically move to reflect the head movements of the person onscreen
3/6
The MM-Space videoconferencing system features displays that physically move to reflect the head movements of the person onscreen
The MM-Space videoconferencing system being developed by NTT
4/6
The MM-Space videoconferencing system being developed by NTT
The MM-Space videoconferencing system places the users in a virtual conversation with the location of the participants reflected in the location of displays in the real world
5/6
The MM-Space videoconferencing system places the users in a virtual conversation with the location of the participants reflected in the location of displays in the real world
The MM-Space display uses actuators and face-tracking software to mimic the user's head movements
6/6
The MM-Space display uses actuators and face-tracking software to mimic the user's head movements
View gallery - 6 images

Japanese telecommunications giant NTT is developing a videoconferencing system that literally turns heads. In an attempt to more accurately give the feeling of a face-to-face conversation between more than two people, the MM-Space system features displays that physically mimic the head movements of the person being displayed on screen.

The system records the faces and voices of users and places the individuals in a virtual conversation circle. This is represented in the real world by a circle of projection displays. Each user appears on a separate display that is controlled by actuators that allow the screen to physically turn left and right and angle up and down to mimic the head movements of the person onscreen. The user's head movements are captured using face-tracking software.

To heighten the feeling that the conversation is happening in the real world, the system also removes the background and displays a life-size image of the user on a transparent display.

While NTT is still figuring out the best camera positioning and working on getting the system working in real time, a demonstration of the technology can be seen in the DigInfo video below.

Videoconferencing system that shows who's talking to whom #DigInfo

Source: DigInfo.TV

View gallery - 6 images
3 comments
3 comments
Mr Stiffy
It's a bit trippy but it's clever.... the "almost there" and "good enough" hologram situation.
Wesley Dart
Pretty clever idea that seems to humanize video conferencing a little more.
Christian Dillon
Awesome I can just picture all the panels bowing at the end of the meeting.