The Record - Issue 20: Spring 2021

14 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Microsoft unveils new mixed reality platform Azure-powered Microsoft Mesh enables users to join shared holographic experiences M icrosoft unveiled its new mixed reality platform, Microsoft Mesh, at the virtual Ignite event in March. The Azure-powered technology enables users in different locations to join shared holographic experiences on many types of device. Microsoft technical fellow Alex Kipman demonstrated the platform onstage by appearing as a holoportation, with rays of light simulating his physical body. “This has been the dream for mixed reality, the idea from the very beginning,” said Kipman. “You can actually feel like you’re in the same place with someone sharing content or you can teleport from different mixed reality devices and be present with people even when you’re not physically together.” The new platform builds on years of Microsoft research in hand and eye tracking and HoloLens to develop holograms and artificial intelligence (AI) models that can create lifelike avatars. It will help geographically distributed teams access new collaborative opportunities by using these avatars, and then holoportation, to project themselves into shared virtual experiences. According to Microsoft writer Jennifer Langston, Microsoft Mesh’s basis on Azure ensures enterprise- grade security and privacy features, DID YOU KNOW? Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberté intends to use Microsoft Mesh to create a social, mixed reality platform called Hanai World which would connect live and digital entertainment experiences into single events. Microsoft Mesh allows users to join shared holographic experiences