- The pilot was demonstrated through a holographic interview conducted at LaCabina facilities within Telefónica.
The Institute of Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications of the Universitat Politècnica de València (iTEAM-UPV), Telefónica, and Brainstorm Multimedia have carried out a groundbreaking technological pilot that enables telepresence through real-time communication using three-dimensional holograms. This trial took place at La Cabina, the Innovation and Talent Hub located at Telefónica’s headquarters in Distrito T, as part of collaborative activities between the companies aimed at enabling impactful communication. It represents a significant step forward in the application of immersive technologies and remote communications.
The pilot showcased an interview in which Guillermo Bataller, Head of Transformation and Innovation Projects at Telefónica, appeared holographically in a specially equipped TV space at Espacio Movistar using Brainstorm’s production system. From that studio, an interviewer was able to hold a smooth conversation with the 3D hologram of Guillermo Bataller, who was actually located at the volumetric capture set in LaCabina, which features an advanced volumetric video streaming system. Attendees at the studio could see and hear both participants as if they were in the same space.
Using these advanced immersive communication technologies, the pilot demonstrated how holograms can become a viable means of effective remote communication in future scenarios.
Technology at the service of interaction
The demonstration included a combination of high-quality volumetric capture, a camera tracking system, and real-time transmission.
On one hand, the volumetric capture system allows the creation of a full-body hologram in real-time, which can be inserted into virtual or real environments. On the other hand, the camera tracking system and specialized software make it possible to produce audiovisual content using augmented reality, integrating both the person physically present at the event and the hologram of the remote participant into the same scene.
This pilot paves the way for applications that can benefit from immersive telepresence in fields such as education, healthcare, entertainment, and corporate events.
About the multimedia equipment
The Ágora at the new Espacio Movistar, located in the heart of Madrid, was equipped with state-of-the-art technical equipment, including a camera system with positional tracking and specialized software capable of producing augmented reality audiovisual content. This setup allows both event attendees and the teleported person to experience real telepresence, where real and virtual elements are integrated in real time.
An innovative collaboration
The alliance between iTEAM-UPV, Telefónica, and Brainstorm Multimedia reaffirms these organizations’ commitment to researching and developing disruptive technologies. This pilot is part of a series of initiatives aimed at exploring the potential of holographic technology to transform the way people communicate and connect.
This pilot is part of the work carried out within the project Avanzando-5G-Inmersivo-Holográfico (TSI-0630002021-110) under the Programa de Universalización de Infraestructuras Digitales para la Cohesión – 5G I+D (UNICO-5G I+D). Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia. Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital, Financiado por la Unión Europea – NextGenerationEU.
