Challenge

With the growing shift towards hybrid and remote work, Mural sought to address the limitations of traditional video conferencing tools in fostering deep collaboration. Despite these tools offering convenience, they fail to replicate the physical co-presence and dynamic interaction of in-person meetings. Mural hypothesized that immersive technologies like XR (Extended Reality) could create a "third option" for collaboration, one that combines the advantages of both physical and virtual presence while introducing new layers of engagement.

Solution

Mural launched a series of public XR events designed to experiment with immersive collaboration in virtual environments. These events utilized Meta’s Horizon Worlds to create interactive worlds and collaboration “games for work,” aimed at testing the limits of co-presence. The events included concepts such as virtual campfires, sailboat retrospectives, and genie-driven Q&A sessions. Each activity was designed to examine how people engage with virtual environments, each other, and how well these experiences enhance teamwork. Feedback from users and observations from facilitators were critical to refining their hypothesis and tools.

Impact

The outcomes were overwhelmingly positive. Participants felt engaged, immersive co-presence allowed for meaningful interactions that surpassed the capabilities of video conferencing tools. Users noted increased retention of information, deeper collaboration, and a sense of physical presence despite geographical distances. The events also led to collaborations with Meta and the development of Mural’s own VR app. Mural has since positioned XR collaboration as not just an alternative to physical meetings but a superior tool for certain aspects of work, such as creative brainstorming and team-building activities.

‍