In an effort to help bridge the gap between fully-remote and hybrid work, Microsoft has launched Microsoft Mesh, a new virtual meeting platform that utilizes 3D avatars to help team members feel connected.
Employees’ avatars can meet up in premade spaces designed by Microsoft, ranging from chic boardrooms to exotic getaways, in order to help virtual meetings feel more engaging, while full support for Meta Quest devices aims to make things feel more immersive. In addition to use as a standalone app for large-scale immersive meetings, Mesh avatars and meeting spaces can also be accessed in Teams. The new product is being marketed by Microsoft as highly customizable without the need for any coding expertise, letting employers fully deck out their meeting spaces with personalized branding.
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The Chief Technology Officer of Takeda, a global pharmaceutical company that was one of the first to test drive Mesh, had this to say:
“Mesh for Teams has proven a game-changer for us; our hybrid meetings are more collaborative and immersive, and also a lot more fun. We are a people-first organization, and we want every employee to feel a true sense of belonging and togetherness—from day one, wherever they are in the world. Mesh is helping us achieve that.”
Mesh is now available for all tiers of Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 subscribers. Alternatively, a free six month trial, including the Mesh editor and toolkit, is available now to all business users.
