During a demonstration, I had the opportunity to sit on the comfortable and ergonomically designed couch within Project Ghost. In front of me, hidden behind a movie screen, was the projected image of another human being. Although it was an image, the 15-minute conversation felt remarkably real compared to staring at a computer screen.
One notable aspect contributing to the realistic experience is the positioning of the screen in Project Ghost. It sits about a foot behind a gray felt frame, creating a sense of distance and scale that makes the projected participant appear life-sized and natural. Additionally, the typical small self-image display found in most video conferencing platforms is eliminated in Project Ghost, allowing for a more immersive conversation where participants can maintain eye contact.
Project Ghost is built around off-the-shelf hardware from Logitech, including the Rally Plus system and Logitech’s “compute” appliance, RoomMate. The RoomMate, priced at $1,000, runs a custom operating system and enables easy deployment of video conferencing services like Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android, Zoom Rooms Appliances, and RingCentral. Steelcase conveniently placed an interface pad within arm’s reach on a low conference table, integrated with some decorative grasses to add a touch of nature.
