Microsoft Teams Avatars: 3D Animated Metaverse Integration

Microsoft Enters the Metaverse with Mesh for Teams

Microsoft is also aiming to establish a presence within the burgeoning metaverse. During today’s Ignite conference, the company unveiled 3D avatars designed for use in Teams meetings, offering an alternative to appearing on camera directly.

These animated, personalized avatars are a core component of what Microsoft terms “Mesh for Teams.” This integrates the company’s Mesh platform – distinct from the earlier Windows Live Mesh – which powers shared experiences across virtual reality, augmented reality, and other digital environments, with the familiar productivity tools of Teams.

A New Approach to Online Collaboration

Access to Mesh for Teams will be versatile, supporting a range of devices from smartphones to virtual reality headsets and HoloLens. Microsoft openly positions this as its metaverse initiative focused on productivity.

According to John Roach of Microsoft, the goal is to “make online meetings more personal, engaging and fun.” He further describes the metaverse as a new iteration of the internet.

This new internet version will allow people to connect, collaborate, and interact using digital representations of themselves, accessible on any device.

The Vision of a More Engaging Digital Workplace

The core concept remains the same – attending meetings – but Microsoft hopes to enhance the experience through the immersive possibilities of the metaverse.

Image Credits: Microsoft

Microsoft Technical Fellow Alex Kipman, expressed enthusiasm, stating that this development is a direct response to customer demand.

He highlighted the convergence of the company’s 12-year investment in mixed reality technologies with its focus on productivity.

Initial Features and Future Development

Initially, Mesh will primarily offer these 3D avatars, capable of replicating your voice but not yet your movements.

Businesses will also have the capability to construct their own virtual spaces – essentially, metaverses – within Teams, facilitating virtual interaction and collaboration among employees.

“There will be a feeling of presence even though it’s as simple as being able to take your audio and manifest that as facial expressions,” explained Katie Kelly, a principal project manager at Microsoft.

The company intends to integrate its extensive AI technologies to enable the avatars to mimic head and facial movements based on camera input.

Early Adoption and Testing

Accenture has been collaborating with Microsoft to test these features, creating a virtual campus for its workforce.

This virtual environment is used for various activities, including informal gatherings, presentations, and onboarding new employees.

Accenture recruits approximately 100,000 individuals annually, and with a total workforce of 600,000, the company is exploring whether the metaverse can contribute to improved employee retention.

However, given the high caliber of their consultants, they are likely best positioned to assess the effectiveness of this approach.