Can’t make it to work? Skype could soon beam in your 3D body-double
Web telephone service developing new technology
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The web telephone service Skype has confirmed it has developed the technology to create 3D video calls, which could allow workers to send body doubles to work in the distant future.
Mark Gillett, corporate vice-president for Skype, announced teams had been working with state-of-the-art tools in order to capture 3D footage.
“We’ve seen a lot of progress in screens, and a lot of people now buy TVs and computer monitors that are capable of delivering a 3D image,” he told the BBC.
“We have it in the lab, we know how to make it work, and we’re looking at the ecosystem of devices and their capability to support it in order to make a decision when we might think about bringing something like that to market,” he added. Skype posted an advert in April that suggested it was looking to develop technology that would allow it to create body-doubles for employees unable to attend work meetings.
The ad said it wanted a system “that gives the remote worker a true seat at the table, the ability to look around the room, turn to a colleague and have a side conversation.
“Longer-term, this same platform will enable high-definition communication scenarios for consumers over Skype,” it said.
The news comes a month after the BBC announced it was ditching 3D as a medium following a two-year trial. It ran a pilot scheme in which it televised a number of programmes in 3D, including Strictly Come Dancing and the ceremonies for the Olympics, last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments