Sber mixes up realities – Kommersant FM

Kommersant FM columnist Alexander Levi talks about the virtual format of video meetings that the new service offers.

Sber presented a virtual video meeting format for its SberJazz conference service. We are talking about the use of 3D avatars in mixed reality spaces. Due to belonging to the latter, the service extension was called SberJazz XR.

As the authors of the development say, all holders of business licenses can create a meeting in a virtual space. It works something like this: the organizer just needs to activate an option in the browser called “Meeting with 3D”, and then send invitations to potential participants. The last thing to do is just follow the link and in the “View” tab select the “3D” button in the drop-down menu.

This should be followed by the promised transition to a virtual environment. There, in addition to the key object of attention such as a presentation or speaker, there are also animated avatars of meeting participants who can move around in this environment and somehow interact with each other. If you have already visited virtual worlds in the company of other people, then it will not be surprising.

But still, raising your hand, depicting something with gestures, somehow showing your reaction in mixed reality is almost the same need as in real life.

Of course, first of all, Sber’s development is aimed at a business audience rather than at an ordinary consumer. The company itself emphasizes that SberJazz XR will make it easier to work in hybrid teams, help with training and training, and increase efficiency in small groups due to game elements and a sense of presence.

In the future, in addition to the browser, access to SberJazz XR should be available on mobile platforms and VR headsets. For now, the new format is only available on PC and is designed for a maximum of 50 avatars. Participants beyond this number can also join the group, but via regular audio or video communication.