Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Google’s Project Starline, first announced years ago, subsequently evolved into an AI-forward 3D video conferencing platform in partnership with HP. Now, Google is rebranding Project Starline into Google Beam and hopes to make the platform available to select customers later this year.
Google Beam leans on artificial intelligence (AI) much more heavily than Project Starline did. It uses the power of Google’s AI volumetric video model to transform traditional 2D video streams into realistic 3D experiences. According to Google, the company’s AI expertise, coupled with Google Cloud’s scalability, delivers enterprise-grade reliability that makes true-to-life 3D video conferencing compatible with existing workflows.
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Communicating via Google Beam, Google noted, will offer a more natural experience than you’d get with traditional video conferencing software or hardware. Google Beam adds depth and dimensionality to the image, thanks to the combination of its AI video model and a light field display. As someone who works remotely, I couldn’t be more excited about this technology, especially when and if it gets condensed into something more applicable in a home office space.
Google is still partnering with HP to create these light field displays that will work as the Google Beam platform. When someone interacts with another person through a video call on these displays, the image reflected looks more realistic than standard 2D video. These displays show depth and perspective, which lets users make eye contact and read subtle gestures and facial expressions almost as if the conversation were happening face to face.
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The HP x Google Beam devices are expected to go to select customers later this year, though you can also see them at InfoComm in June. Google is also working on making Beam available through industry leaders like Zoom, Diversified, and AVI-SPL.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
“Deloitte is excited about Google Beam as a groundbreaking, innovative step in human connection in the digital age. Our teams and clients confirm this solution is not just a technological breakthrough but a reimagining of how we connect,” Deloitte Consulting managing director Angel Ayala said.
Google Beam brings AI translation to Google Meet
Google is leveraging its AI video models to bring real-time translation to Google Meet. This will allow users to have conversations translated in nearly real-time so they can each speak different languages and still understand each other, breaking down language barriers. This feature is said to be coming to Google Meet today.
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The translations are meant to sound natural and match the speaker’s intonation. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said they are available in English and Spanish, and more languages will be added over the next few weeks.
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