"Like Sitting Face-to-Face": ETRI Unveils 'Immersive' Remote Collaboration Technology

A remote technology that enables users to collaborate as if they were having a face-to-face conversation has been unveiled to the public.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on July 23 that it has introduced 'Extended Reality (XR) Environment Remote Telepresence Augmentation Technology' to the public. This technology can precisely reproduce human facial expressions, gaze, and even handshakes.

ETRI researchers recently showcased extended reality environment remote presence enhancement technology to the public at the 'ETRI Conference 2025'. Photo by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute

The technology allows two users in different physical locations to participate in a meeting simultaneously in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments, enabling them to interact immersively as if they were sitting across from each other in the same conference room. This represents a next-generation technology that connects physical and virtual spaces.

The core components of the remote telepresence augmentation technology are an exoskeleton-based active virtual handshake technology and a real-time digital human stereoscopic realization technology.

The active virtual handshake technology is an advanced haptic feedback technology designed to convey not only the movement of the hand but also the strength and direction of the grip during a handshake in real time.

Conceptual diagram of 'Extended Reality (XR) Environment Remote Telepresence Augmentation Technology'. Provided by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

To implement this technology, the research team independently designed and developed an exoskeleton-type active XR haptic glove. This haptic glove goes beyond simple vibration to deliver a precise tactile experience that closely resembles an actual handshake.

As a result, it is now possible to convey the sensation of a firm grip in real time, enabling immersive interaction that feels like actually shaking hands with someone, even in a remote environment.

The real-time digital human stereoscopic realization technology uses generative artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver three-dimensionality and facial expression changes of digital humans in real time within a binocular head-mounted display (HMD) environment.

Previously, implementing high-quality digital humans in real time required large-scale system resources. However, with the technology unveiled by ETRI, even relatively low-quality video sources can be rendered realistically and vividly without large-scale system resources. This enables natural facial expressions that closely resemble real people in remote meeting environments.

Jung Sungwook, principal researcher at ETRI's Content Convergence Research Laboratory, said, "The ETRI technology unveiled to the public will mark a turning point by shifting the concept of remote collaboration from simple video calls to an era of immersive interaction. ETRI will further develop this technology into future collaboration solutions that people can experience firsthand in various fields such as education, industry, and healthcare."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.