Digital Transformations for Supporting Next-Generation Labour
The Future of Hybrid Meetings: Blending Reality with the Metaverse

The Future of Hybrid Meetings: Blending Reality with the Metaverse

The way we meet, collaborate, and learn is evolving faster than ever. Gone are the days when meetings meant sitting around a conference table or staring at pixelated video calls. Welcome to the era of hybrid communication, where physical and digital worlds blend seamlessly!

With dynamic digital twins and metaverse-based solutions, platforms like the NEXT Collaboration Virtual Platform are taking virtual meetings to the next level. But what does this mean for you? Let’s dive into this game-changing technology and see how it’s redefining the way we connect!

Types of Hybrid Meetings: A New Way to Collaborate

Forget one-size-fits-all meetings—hybrid communication brings flexibility and customization!

Here are the main types:

  • Round Table Meetings – Everyone is equal. Whether you’re physically there or joining remotely, you have the same voice, the same rights, and the same impact. Think brainstorming sessions, creative discussions, and team collaborations.
  • Presentations & Lectures – Some lead, others listen. The speakers guide the discussion, while the audience tunes in, either passively absorbing knowledge or engaging with questions. Perfect for business presentations and virtual classrooms!
Figure 1: Illustration of the two types of meetings based on hierarchy. Round Table on the left, Lecture on the right. Images generated by generative AI.

Who’s Actually in the Room? Understanding Participant Types

Hybrid communication isn’t just about logging into a Zoom call. There are three types of participants who interact in hybrid meetings:

  • Local Participants – The ones physically in the meeting room. No fancy tech needed—just show up and interact naturally!
  • Online Participants – Remote attendees who join through webcams and microphones. They appear on dedicated screens in the meeting room.
  • Virtual Remote Participants – Instead of being on camera, these attendees join as avatars in a digital meeting space, making the experience more immersive and engaging.

Why does this matter? Because the goal is to make everyone feel like they’re truly there—whether in-person, on a screen, or inside a metaverse-like space.

Figure 2: Illustration of the three types of participants at the meeting. To the left, there is the local participant. In the center, a physical remote participant, and on the right, imagine a virtual remote participant represented by an avatar. Images created using generative AI.

Metaverse-Based Digital Twins: The Next Evolution of Hybrid Meetings

Have you ever wished remote meetings felt more real? That’s where Metaverse-based Dynamic Digital Twins come in!

What’s a Digital Twin?

A digital twin is a real-time, digital replica of a physical meeting room—down to the architecture, seating arrangement, and even how people move inside it! Imagine stepping into a 3D replica of your real meeting space from anywhere in the world. Now that’s futuristic!

How Does It Work?

Digital twins are built using 3D scanning and modeling techniques to create ultra-realistic virtual spaces. The cutting-edge 3D Gaussian Splatting method ensures:

Photorealistic visuals – The meeting space looks just like the real room!

Smooth movement rendering – No more awkward, laggy interactions.

Accurate lighting & textures – Giving a real-life feel to virtual spaces.

Why Should You Care? The Benefits of Digital Twins

  • Real Presence & Realism – No more feeling like an outsider. Remote participants appear in the room as 3D avatarswith realistic body language and expressions.
  • Spatial Awareness – Move around, look around, and engage as if you’re actually there!
  • Equal Participation – No one is just a “floating head” on a Zoom call anymore. Everyone gets a seat at the virtual table.
  • Better Learning & Training – Students and professionals can interact in lifelike settings, making virtual classrooms and workplaces more engaging.
  • Future-Proof Meetings – The future is digital, and companies that adopt digital twins will be ahead of the game.

What’s next? Imagine blending digital twins with holographic avatars, facial recognition, and AI-driven gesturesto create fully immersive metaverse meeting rooms!

What You Need for a Next-Level Hybrid Meeting Setup

Whether you’re meeting in a physical room or inside a virtual space, the right setup is key. Here’s what you need for a seamless hybrid meeting experience:

  • High-Resolution Displays & Projectors – So remote participants don’t feel like tiny floating heads.
  • Multiple Cameras – Capture different angles for a more immersive experience. Interactive Whiteboards & Digital Tools – Collaborate effortlessly across locations.

With the right technology, hybrid meetings can be just as natural and engaging as in-person discussions!

What’s Next? The Future of Hybrid Meetings

The future is bigger than video calls. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

  • Fully immersive metaverse meeting spaces – A true virtual office where people interact like they’re physically together.
  • AI-powered avatars – Your digital twin will mimic your facial expressions, gestures, and even voice in real-time.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) Enhancements – Imagine looking at a physical meeting room and seeing virtual participants sitting among real attendees!

With platforms like NEXT Collaboration Virtual Platform leading the charge, hybrid meetings are set to become more interactive, immersive, and engaging than ever before!

Are You Ready for the Future?

Hybrid communication isn’t just a trend—it’s a revolution in how we work, learn, and collaborate. With digital twins, AI-driven avatars, and cutting-edge metaverse technology, the barriers between physical and virtual meetings are disappearing.

So, whether you’re joining from an office, a home workspace, or as a virtual avatar in the metaverse, the future of meetings is here—and it’s exciting!

What do you think about digital twins and hybrid meetings? Are you ready to step into the metaverse for your next team meeting? Let us know in the comments!

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