Microsoft Teams users will soon be able to replace themselves with a 3D avatar: what that means
After announcing the feature in 2021 and testing the feature for years, Microsoft is finally bringing support for 3D avatars to Microsoft Teams this May.
According to The Verge , Microsoft’s Office 365 roadmap has recently been updated to show that avatars in Microsoft Teams can help people avoid the camera when they don’t want to be seen. Using the 3D avatar function, a virtual clone appears on the screen and responds based on your voice without a camera.
In a roadmap update, Microsoft stated, “Avatars for Microsoft Teams gives you a much-needed break from the camera, while still enabling effective collaboration.” And users can “add a new level of choice to meetings and represent yourself the way you want with customizable avatars and reactions.”
Speaking to The Verge in 2021, Microsoft’s Chief Product Manager, Microsoft Mesh, Katie Kelly of Microsoft said, “We’re able to interpret your voice cues to animate this avatar, so it feels like it’s present and it feels like it’s with you.”
The Verge reports that Microsoft has more plans for its avatars. The company is partnering with Meta to introduce immersive 3D meetings accessible through Meta VR headsets. As part of this collaboration, Microsoft is developing a Teams client specifically for the Meta Quest headset – which allows users to host meetings in VR – using 3D avatars that include features such as floating emoticons and animations such as raising hands.
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