Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Monday that by 2030, people could use advanced smart glasses to “teleport” to locations such as other people’s homes and speak to them as if they were physically present, allowing meetings to be replaced. in person with a digital experience based on headphones.
One result of this vision for the future could be reduced travel for business or pleasure, which could help mitigate the effects of climate change, Zuckerberg said in an interview with The Information.
“Obviously, there will continue to be cars and planes and all that. But the more we can teleport, not only do we personally eliminate shuttles and things that are a kind of attraction for us individually, but I think it’s better for society and the planet as well, “Zuckerberg said.
Most large technology companies, including Apple, Microsoft and Google, are working on augmented reality technology, which overlays computer-generated graphics with real-world images. They all compete to model the next major computer interface after a smartphone and touch screen.
Zuckerberg’s comments are notable because they represent a cohesive view from an industry leader of what augmented reality technology can do for consumers, not just other companies, and identify software that could be the hook to get people to buy and sell. later wears advanced computers on the face: virtual communication in person.
The ultimate vision for years, as Zuckerberg said on Monday, is a pair of normal-looking, computer-powered glasses that can display content alongside the real world through transparent screens.
“There will be all these wonderful use cases that come from this … rather than calling someone or doing a video chat, you just do a little bit of your fingers and you teleport and sit there and I’m on their couch and it feels like you’re there together, “Zuckerberg said.
Zuckerberg says one advantage of AR-powered “teleportation” is that it could reduce travel or commute time. Ultimately, AR could allow workers to live where they want, perhaps a less expensive region, and “practically teleport to work,” Zuckerberg said.
“We talked a little bit about climate change before it was so important,” Zuckerberg said. “People just want to travel a little less in the future and do it more efficiently and be able to go places without having to travel or commute.”
Zuckerberg’s interview comes as the social media company plans to launch a pair of smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban later this year, although he said they won’t be “full AR,” which means they won’t display objects. advanced virtual machines. Facebook plans to launch more advanced AR glasses as the technology improves.
Facebook is also developing virtual reality headsets that do not have transparent displays through Oculus, which it bought in 2014 for $ 2 billion. It currently sells Oculus 2, a $ 300 virtual reality headset. Zuckerberg said he believes software makers will start producing virtual reality software before moving to augmented reality, calling the two technologies “two sides of the same coin.”