During Google I/O 2021 in May, we discussed our vision for Project Starline, a technology project that combines hardware and software breakthroughs to bring friends, family, and coworkers together even when they are in different cities. (or isolated villages).
Google employees have spent thousands of hours using Project Starline to participate, interview and meet new teammates, pitch ideas to their colleagues, and engage in one-on-one collaboration. Many users noticed how powerful the ability to make eye contact was and how more engaged and connected they felt. One user compared their experience to a conversation over coffee as a real interaction. focus on the other person.
We measured the impact of hundreds of Google employee experiences with Project Starline, and the results showed it feels much closer to being in the same room with someone than traditional video calls. We’ve noticed an increase in some of the most important cues that are often missed in video calls, such as attention, memory recall, and overall sense of presence.
Here’s what we found by comparing Project Starline to traditional video calls: People exhibited more non-verbal behaviors like ~ 40% more hand gestures, ~ 25% more nodding, and about 50% more. eyebrow movements in addition. . People had a much better memory when using Project Starline, following nearly 30 minutes when asked to remember details of their conversation or the contents of a meeting. People focused about 15% more on meeting their partner in an eye tracking experience, suggesting that visual attention is improved when using Project Starline.
These first results show the promise of the ability of the Starline Project project to facilitate more personal links from Google Afar.as and other navigation companies in the future of work, we are optimistic about the potential for deepening the connection.
