Scaling Distributed Collaboration in Mixed Reality

Abstract

Distributed collaboration in Mixed Reality (MR) promises to revolutionise how people connect across different physical environments, offering experiences akin to face-to-face interactions. However, previous work has mostly focused on enabling this vision in overly simplified settings such as with only two users interacting in identical distributed environments. Scaling current systems to work with large groups and for common real-life scenarios is a persistent challenge that requires addressing multiple tensions. We identified six challenges: 1) supporting locally congruent actions from heterogeneous remote spaces, 2) communicating accurate user behaviours through virtual representation instead of physical bodies, 3) facilitating organic group interactions within limited physical space, 4) maintaining conversational dynamics even in asynchronous exchanges, 5) providing equal access to physical objects for all participants, and 6) enabling efficient task switching within a complex ecology of applications, devices, and accessibility needs. This workshop aims to gather researchers and practitioners to explore actionable strategies for resolving these challenges. Through a mix of presentations, hands-on activities, and group discussions, participants will generate new ideas and develop a research agenda to articulate the future of MR collaboration systems. The workshop outcomes will include a list of concrete next steps for the community to bring distributed MR collaboration at scale.