roomXT: Advanced Video Communication for Joint Dining over a Distance

This paper illustrates the development of the roomXT system, a mixed reality communication system for the home domain. RoomXT virtually extends a user's physical environment by providing a “life-like” communication channel for informal and spontaneous interactions. We use a wall-sized display together with head-tracking and 3D rendering to achieve visual contiguity between the real and a virtual environment. As one possible application of this system, we set up a remote dining situation for two users. The dinner table is visually extended into the virtual environment in which a live video stream of the dining partner is shown. Great care was taken in regard to the aesthetic and device-free integration into the living room. First impressions of potential users support the validity of our design decisions.