24 Nov 2021

S5GC demos 3D video conferencing at COP26

The Scotland 5G Centre (S5GC) has revealed successful results of immersive 5G-enabled technology trials it ran at the recent COP26 Summit alongside Holoxica and the University of Glasgow’s Communication, Sensing and Imaging group.

Holoxica and the CSI group hosted a 5G to 5G holographic 3D video conferencing demonstration from the S5GConnect Dumfries hub during the global summit in Glasgow which saw world and industry leaders meet to discuss climate change. The holographic equipment used in the demonstration can be used for meetings that would ordinarily require travel in the healthcare industry and in 3D Telemedicine.

Technologies used included two-way 3D videoconferencing between Dumfries and Glasgow, using Microsoft Azure Kinect 3D depth cameras, Nokia’s low latency 5G network which spans the University of Glasgow’s 5G testbed and Holoxica’s 3D Looking Glass Light Field displays which require no headsets. Dr Muhammad Ali Imran of the University of Glasgow said that “5G can enable more realistic virtual tele-presence that can move away from conventional two-dimensional screens replacing it with holograms”.

Also on the 3D call was ‘Peppa’ the University of Glasgow’s AI (artificial intelligence) robot, which has been programmed to allow tour guides to work remotely using the AI robot to guide visitors in key tourist locations across the city.