Leaders in hybrid collaboration and technology
create more realistic virtual connections for better meetings in
the office.
GRAND
RAPIDS, MIich., June 11,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Steelcase, a global design,
research and thought leader in the world of work, and Logitech, a
multinational software-enabled hardware solutions provider, today
introduce Ocular™ View – an extended reality experience that
immerses people in virtual conversations that make them feel like
they're sitting across from one another even when they're miles
apart.
Ocular View is designed to enhance individual connections by
integrating Steelcase hybrid collaboration insights and design with
Logitech's video collaboration technology, and supporting software
like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, for people to meet with colleagues
virtually in a more personal way. These digital and physical
elements work together to provide a space that helps achieve
increased personal wellbeing, social connection and privacy – all
of which are top priorities for employees, according to recent
global Steelcase research.
Ocular View was first unveiled as a prototype at Integrated
Systems Europe in 2023, as Project Ghost, with the intent to
understand workers' needs for better hybrid collaboration
experiences. Throughout Project Ghost's iterations, the Steelcase
and Logitech teams gathered invaluable feedback for its
enhancement, leading to the final creation of Ocular View, a unique
experience unavailable anywhere else.
"People need better hybrid collaboration options -- especially
in a time where we are spending so much of our day on video -- so
we wanted to create a more realistic experience that would help
combat digital fatigue," said Christina
Vernon, general manager of distributed collaboration and
tech partners for Steelcase. "Project Ghost was an experiment to
see if people could connect virtually in the same way they might
over a cup of coffee. What we found through all of our
conversations and in-person demonstrations was that people were
craving this kind of immersive and distraction-free experience to
really improve their connections with their colleagues."
Enclosed in Steelcase® Everwall® (or
Orangebox® Campers & Dens™ in Europe) to provide acoustic and visual
privacy, Ocular View seats one to two people. A complete hybrid
collaboration experience, it includes a comfortable lounge, small
table and soft lighting to help participants look and feel their
best. The space was intentionally designed to eliminate
distractions, placing the technology secondary to the physical
environment. Participants simply tap to join to start the realistic
conversation.
"Working with our tech partners early on in the process gives
our designers an advantage to create spaces that integrate
technology seamlessly so people can focus on what's important – the
actual conversation," said Vernon. "We've been working with
Logitech for several years and this project was the clear next step
in building better hybrid solutions."
Steelcase's knowledge of textiles and materiality combined with
Logitech's proven technology helps create an effect that removes
the remote participant from their background and displays a
life-size rendering. The camera also creates eye-to-eye contact by
connecting sight lines to create a natural gaze, so people feel as
though they are engaging in-person.
"When starting on this project, we asked ourselves how we could
create a more human connection where technology fades into the
background and people are front-and-center," said Alex Mooney, alliances and go-to-market manager
for Logitech. "By working with Steelcase so closely, we're able to
let everyone now experience Ocular View which removes the obvious
presence of technology to focus on the engagement between two
people. It's an experience that's unlike anything available until
now."
Ocular View joins the Steelcase Ocular™ Collection, which
includes a range of organically shaped tables designed to
accommodate the increasing need for video conferences in meeting
rooms that improve sightlines for better and more equitable hybrid
collaboration experiences.
Ocular View is now orderable in North
America and select European countries. Everwall
configurations will be available for North American markets only
starting in Summer 2024. The Orangebox version will initially be
available for European markets in Summer 2024 and will be available
in North American markets in the Fall/Winter of 2024. For more
information, visit Steelcase.com/OcularView.
About Steelcase
Established in 1912, Steelcase is a global design, research and
thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best
work by creating places that work better. Along with more than 30
creative and technology partner brands, we design and manufacture
furnishings and solutions for the many places where work happens —
including learning, health and work from home. Our solutions come
to life through our community of expert Steelcase dealers in
approximately 770 locations, as well as our online Steelcase store
and other retail partners. Founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase is a
publicly traded company with fiscal year 2024 revenue of
$3.2 billion. With approximately
11,300 global employees and our dealer community, we come together
for people and the planet — using our business to help the world
work better.
About Logitech
Logitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help
businesses thrive and bring people together when working, creating,
gaming and streaming. As the point of connection between people and
the digital world, our mission is to extend human potential in work
and play, in a way that is good for people and the planet. Founded
in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on
the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market (LOGI). Find Logitech at www.logitech.com, the company blog,
LinkedIn, or @LogitechBiz.
Logitech and other Logitech marks are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Logitech Europe S.A and/or its affiliates in the U.S.
and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its
products, visit the company's website at www.logitech.com.
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SOURCE Steelcase