Cisco Chairman & CEO John Chambers speaking at the newly launched Cisco globalisation centre here on Wednesday, showcased the company’s next-generation telepresence technology “OnStage”. As a part of the technology, full life-sized 3D images of Cisco’s top executives were projected onto the stage - live from San Jose, US, talking to Mr Chambers in real-time, all happening here!

During the conversation, between the CEO - Mr Chambers and Marthin De Beer, Senior VP, Cisco’s Emerging Market Technology Group, Chuck Stucki, VP & GM, Telepresence Systems, Cisco (both in US) the audience could even see minute expressions such as Mr Stucki flinch a little. As if he was there right on the stage. 

The technology

Telepresence solution uses high-definition video, projectors and special screens to create holograms of people thousands of miles away, built on the internet protocol network. “The use of such technologies will change the way businesses do real-life meetings, have on stage presentations and enable them to collaborate better,” said Mr Chamber.

Telepresence was integrated with the video conferencing equipment in Cisco itself to show it live over the TV, PC or a mobile device. Telepresence can help companies to integrate and  collaborate better across organisations worldwide, reducing costs and increasing productivity.  Though telepresence can help companies, its pricing still remains a concern. “As more companies use the technology, it will become affordable,” said Mr Chambers.

Another major bottleneck in making telepresence popular is non-availability of of broadband and lower speed in IP networks.  Mr Chambers assured that business will be seen adopting the technology in the coming three to five years.