HP Inc. unveiled its new Dimension product with Google Beam at this week’s InfoComm with a goal of transforming how people collaborate in this new world of work where remote employees are the norm.

The joint product looks to address the growing problem of creating human connections with a distributed workforce. The recent HP Workplace Index report found that nearly three-quarters of global workers do not have a healthy relationship with work and much of that is due to a lack of human connection with co-workers. I’ve referred to this as trying to maintain close social proximity in a world where we are physically separate.

The vision: Human connection through technology

HP’s vision is to leverage technology not just as an enabler, but as a catalyst for building trust and engagement among colleagues. Recognizing the profound impact of connection on productivity, well-being and career advancement, HP and Google LLC have forged an exclusive partnership to deliver what they believe will be the future of communication.

Though there have been many attempts at using holograms and virtual reality headsets to create a more lifelike experience, this is the first enterprise 3D video communication solution I have seen that’s usable at scale. Wearing Apple Vision Pro’s might work for manufacturing and other use cases where the focus is on an object, but they fail to help with the human connection. 

This system allows users to experience face-to-face interactions that feel lifelike, as if sitting across a table from another person, regardless of their physical location. I had a chance to preview the product in the past and was skeptical at first but when it’s experienced, one can feel the difference between it and a traditional meeting product.

Built on AI

At the core of Google Beam, formerly Project Starline, is artificial intelligence. A series of cameras capture 2D video, which is then fed into a volumetric AI video model. This model outputs a full 3D video of the participants, ensuring they appear life-sized, with accurate proportions, and enabling genuine eye contact. This allows for the subtle nonverbal cues that are crucial for deeper connections and building trust.

The HP Dimension hardware is purpose built to support this immersive experience. It features a 65-inch, 8K light field display, chosen specifically for its ability to render human-sized, realistic images. The design focuses on making the technology disappear, with discrete cameras hidden within the bezel and a curved mid-wall that provides a sense of depth and eliminates the “floating body” effect often seen in traditional videoconferencing. The system also includes a “halo effect” for studio-grade lighting, ensuring users always look their best.

Beyond visuals, audio quality is paramount. The HP Dimension integrates full-fidelity spatial audio, meaning a speaker’s voice will shift with their physical movement, just as in real-life interactions. A comprehensive array of microphones, including tabletop mics, ensures crystal-clear audio capture, further enhancing the feeling of co-presence.

Seamless integration and enhanced productivity

HP Dimension with Google Beam is designed to seamlessly integrate with existing meeting platforms. It offers native support for Google Meet rooms and Zoom Rooms, allowing users to transition effortlessly between immersive 3D calls and traditional group meetings. Full interoperability with other cloud-based video services like Microsoft Teams and Webex is also supported, ensuring flexibility for diverse organizational needs.

Research indicates that communicating over HP Dimension with Google Beam significantly enhances communication quality. Users exhibit nearly 40% more nonverbal behaviors, recall meeting content almost 30% more effectively, and engage in more natural turn-taking. This leads to more productive and human-centered meetings, addressing the core need for deeper connection.

Pricing, availability and the Poly Studio A2 audio solutions

The HP Dimension with Google Beam will be priced at an MSRP of $24,999 for the hardware, which is significantly cheaper than the six-figure price tags of telepresence system of the past. The Google Beam license will be sold separately, bundling either a Meet or a Zoom Rooms license. The solution will initially be available in major markets: the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Germany and Japan, with plans for broader expansion.

Alongside the HP Dimension, HP is also announcing the new Poly Studio A2 audio solutions. These microphones, designed for scalability, can be used with HP Dimension or other Poly room video solutions. They feature four-element mics, can be daisy-chained up to eight units for larger rooms, and offer effortless setup with low-profile, lie-flat cables and magnetic mounting options.

The Poly Studio A2 audio bridge powers this scalability, providing plug-and-play functionality and audio over IP. The Poly Studio A2 microphones will be available for an MSRP of $329, and the audio bridge for $549, with orders beginning in late June and shipping in September.

Both the HP Dimension and Poly Studio A2 solutions reflect HP’s commitment to sustainability, employing approximately 50% post-consumer recycled plastics and designed for energy efficiency in both active and sleep states.

Addressing key questions

During a pre-briefing, several key questions were addressed:

Future of full-body images: While the initial focus is on seated environments, Google Beam is built to be flexible, and the team is actively exploring future applications like full-body images for presentations and trainings.

HP branding: The HP Dimension device is branded under the HP brand to signify its role as a “halo” product reflecting HP’s broader Future of Work vision, rather than solely a Poly product. The Poly brand will continue to exist for other solutions.

Room requirements: The solution is designed to be approachable and does not require a special room, though a small huddle room space is ideal. Minimum network requirements are 50 megabits up and down, and a white wall behind the unit is recommended for optimal lighting reflection.

Platform compatibility: At launch, native Google Meet and Zoom experiences will be available, allowing interoperability with Teams and Webex calls. The immersive 3D experience will initially be exclusive to Meet and Zoom.

Light field technology: This technology enables the display to sense the viewer’s head position and viewing angle, generating a perspective- and stereo-correct 3D image without the need for additional eyewear, creating a perfectly formed and realistic illusion of presence.

Purchasing guidance: The HP Dimension device and Google Beam license will be bundled and sold through certified resellers, offering a single point of contact for customers.

UI experience: The UI on the display and touch controller will adapt to the native Google Meet or Zoom experience, ensuring a familiar and intuitive user interface with zero learning curve.

Final thoughts

We live in world now where remote workers and video customer meetings are common. Though meeting platforms do a fantastic job for ad hoc and short meetings, there are several use cases such as executive communications, one-on-one meetings and small team check-ins, particularly for high-stakes conversations where the 3D like effect is superior.

The technology also shows promise in verticals like financial services (bank branches of the future), telehealth and government for connecting world leaders. We’ve all become accustomed to meeting on video, HP Dimension with Google Beam is complementary to meeting tools and offers a higher level of connection.

Zeus Kerravala is a principal analyst at ZK Research, a division of Kerravala Consulting. He wrote this article for SiliconANGLE.

Photo: HP