Telepresence is conceptualized as the sensation of being elsewhere, created by the use of mixed reality technologies. In the near future the devices of telepresence will impact the way that we communicate with each other across the globe, in effect minimizing the impact of distance on our ability to transfer information.
While the technologies that enable telepresence have led to great advancements, I believe that the future trends of these devices will expand our sense of possibility even further. Our current devices such as smart phones and tablets primarily rely on the transmission of information by way of two sensory modalities, visual and auditory. A sensory modality can be understood as the way that information from the world is transmitted to the body and then decoded by the senses. The technologies of Telepresence allow users to see and hear what other users are communicating across vast distances by utilizing mixed reality technologies to create shared virtual environments where users can meet and interact within cyberspace.
Mixed reality is the merging of real space and cyberspace to produce virtual environments where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. The future possibilities of Mixed Reality Technologies are vast as they will allow for unprecedented collaboration on group projects, new methods of information sharing in realtime and visualizing objects in holographic 3D space. This is the beginning of the era of tele-controlled robotic systems, which offer a form of augmented telepresence by extending the users agency by means of specially calibrated devices. "Emerge" is a cross-reality presence company, building a new and interactive platform designed to enable more meaningful, engaging, and diverse interactions in Mixed Reality that brings people closer together. Emerge is working to build a future where distance and time don’t interfere in the way of feeling present. Their prototype project enables users to interact, share and physically feel mixed reality immersive content.
This is the Future of Mixed Reality technology and the foundation for the design of the next generation ecosystem of telepresence based devices. I believe that these types of technological advances will pave the way for an entirely new form of communication and human-computer symbiosis. In just a few short years, these devices can completely transform how people interact with each other all across the Globe. Telepresence and Mixed Reality ecosystems will be built from the convergence of multidisciplinary technologies in the areas of advanced computing, embedded sensors, virtual displays and haptic feedback systems. The Mixed Reality ecosystems of the Future will use computer generated graphics combined with other forms of haptic and sensory feedback designed to emulate the way that information is naturally conveyed to the senses and decoded by the brain. Telepresence will be the next step in our technological evolution as a species by mixing real space and virtual space into hybrid or mixed reality environments.
Imagine surgeons being able to remotely operate robotic arms with incredible precision by using telepresence that enable a virtual reality headset to be connected to haptic feedback gloves. Now imagine an Earth based user remotely operating a device in space using real time feedback systems that relay mission data via satellite networks. These are just a few examples, but with even a little imagination we can see how Telepresence, and Mixed Reality devices can completely change the way that we will interact with the world in the near future.
Nolan JT Nahar
Futurist
Technology Strategist
Digital Philosopher
2021
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