Google has announced that their holographic video chat project called ‘Project Starline’ will be tested in the real world. The project, which was introduced last year, is a video-calling booth that uses 3D imagery, high-resolution cameras, custom depth sensors and a breakthrough light field display to create a lifelike experience for participants on both sides of the screen. Google is expanding its real-world tests with an early access program that will put Project Starline in the offices of enterprise partners such as Salesforce and T-Mobile. The prototypes will start being installed in partner offices later this year for regular testing.

Until now, the 3D calling booths were only installed in Google’s offices in the U.S. where employees tested them for things like meetings, employee onboarding, and more. Over 100 enterprise partners were invited to Google’s offices to demo the technologies and offer feedback about their experience.

With the launch of this new early access program, selected partners will be able to test the 3D calling booths in their own offices, which will allow Google to receive valuable feedback about how this technology would be used in real world settings, and what challenges it could face.

Even in early phases, those who have been able to test Project Starline have said that the experience is incredibly realistic and a spectacular technology. You can get a feel for how Starline works by watching the video below:

Despite being incredibly impressive, there have been questions raised about if Starline would ever exist beyond a cool tech demo, or a technology that would actually become a part of the lives of office workers or consumers. Google has not made it clear as to whether or not they plan to commercialize this solution, what the booths would cost to purchase and maintain, or whether the demand for 3D calling booths even exists when Zoom and Google Meet calls are considered “good enough” for virtual meetings.

Additionally, last year Google relocated various AR and VR technologies into a new “Labs” team, which included its internal research and development group knowns as Area 120. This September, the number of projects Area 120 were working on were slashed in half. This has caused speculation on the long-term status of Project Starline. Some at Google were surprised that Starline was even still around given the situation.

Nonetheless, Project Starline is still an interesting and different kind of “virtual reality” – one that represents you as your real self as opposed to characters and avatars. Rather than tracking face or eye movements, or trying to add things in artificially, Google is working to present you as you are – as a person – without having to wear something on your head like a VR headset.

As more and more businesses are trying to figure out a hybrid work model, something like Project Starline could bridge the gap between in-person meetings and 2D video chats.

Partners like Salesforce spoke that they believe tech like this could make connections between people more meaningful.

“In today’s digital-first world, companies need to provide the technology and tools to help employees be more productive and effective at work,” Andy White, SVP of Business Technology at Salesforce said. “At Salesforce, we’re constantly exploring new ways to deliver incredible experiences to our employees and customers around the world. Project Starline has the potential to drive deeper connections between people by bridging in-person and virtual experiences.”

Google is expected to share what it learns through their early access program for Project Starline sometime next year.

Story via TechCrunch