The hidden power of Google’s Project Starline: Making eye contact

Video calls have become a common part of everyday life over the past four years, leading to the well-known concept of “Zoom fatigue.” One of the challenges of video calling is the lack of meaningful eye contact due to the position of the camera compared to the screen. Google’s Project Starline aims to address this issue by providing users with a live animated 3D representation of the person they are speaking with, creating a more immersive experience.

Having had the opportunity to try out Project Starline at Google I/O, the author was pleasantly surprised by the realism and effectiveness of the technology. The 3D rendering allowed for natural eye contact and a sense of being in the same room as the other person, making the experience feel like a true virtual meeting rather than a typical video call.

While impressed with the capabilities of Project Starline, the author also noted some limitations of the technology. The illusion created by Project Starline relies on a fake 3D background to give the appearance of a larger space, and there are some issues with sharpness and fidelity in the transition from a real person to a 3D rendering. Additionally, Project Starline is currently only suitable for one-on-one meetings, as the illusion can only be fully experienced by a single person at a time.

Despite these drawbacks, the author remains impressed with what Google has achieved with Project Starline. The technology allows for natural conversations, visible body language, and instinctive eye contact, creating a more human connection in virtual meetings. Google’s partnership with HP to produce Starline hardware for companies and the compatibility of 3D video conferencing with platforms like Zoom and Meet demonstrate the company’s commitment to expanding the reach of Project Starline.

In conclusion, Project Starline represents a significant step forward in the evolution of video calling technology, offering a more immersive and human-centric experience for users. While there are still some limitations and areas for improvement, the potential of Project Starline to revolutionize virtual meetings is evident. As Google continues to develop and refine the technology, the future of video conferencing could be on the brink of a major transformation.

Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/06/21/google-project-starline-eye-contact/?extended-comments=1