The Record - Issue 20: Spring 2021

15 as well as computational resources, data, AI and mixed reality services. Langston suggests that Microsoft Mesh could see significant implementation in industry. For example, “designers or engineers who work with 3D physical models could appear as themselves in a shared virtual space to collaborate and iterate on holographic models, regardless of their physical location”. Architects could use the platform to walk through holographic models of factory floors to guide construction and prevent mistakes, and medical students could gather as avatars around a holographic model to explore the human anatomy. Ocean exploration initiative OceanX also appeared at Ignite to discuss a new collaboration with Microsoft. It is creating a Mesh- enabled “holographic laboratory” on research vessel OceanXplorer to create 3D holograms of the areas being explored. The non-profit organisation uses technology to support ocean education and awareness, and vice chairman Vincent Pieribone claims that the new endeavour could “guide scientific missions in real time”. “When you think about what it actually takes to usher in a new medium for computing, you have to make deep investments across the ecosystem, which is really what Microsoft has done,” said Kipman. “Now we invite people to go create value on top of that and benefit from the years of really hard research and development we’ve done to offer them these features in a turnkey way.” Microsoft technical fellow Alex Kipman demonstrated Microsoft Mesh onstage at Ignite by appearing as a holoportation OceanX will use Microsoft Mesh to create a “holographic laboratory” on its research ship OceanXplorer Photo: OceanX