Be honest: How many of your recent online meetings have truly inspired you?
Most of the time, it’s just static video tiles, emojis, and the constant reminder to “unmute.” Spontaneous conversations, casual hallway chats, or genuine connection? Not a chance.
With Immersive Spaces (3D) in Microsoft Teams, the lines between online and offline are blurring. Suddenly, we’re no longer just sitting in front of a screen—we’re moving around the room, brainstorming, laughing, and collaborating as if we were all in the same office. The motto: Using 3D avatars and immersive spaces to bring a human touch back to virtual collaboration.
Bringing a Human Touch Back to Meetings with Immersive Spaces
And for an equally human touch, I’m sharing my personal 3D avatar from Microsoft Teams as the author of this article! We at INKUBIT also enjoy INKUBIT virtual reality to meet “face-to-face” while working 100% remotely. You can find more use cases and screenshots in the rest of the article.
The Challenge of Hybrid Teams
Hybrid work has long been the norm. But with physical distance come the loss of those small moments that foster connection and creativity: a chat by the coffee machine, shared laughter before a workshop. The result: less motivation, less interaction, and less innovation.
Microsoft's response: Immersive Spaces in Teams
With Immersive Spaces, Microsoft brings immersive 3D experiences directly into Teams meetings. Employees appear as avatars and move around in virtual spaces—from a cozy fireside gathering to a brainstorming session. Spatial Audio is particularly impressive, making conversations sound as if they’re taking place in a real room. When people are chatting virtually in a separate area, they hear only the voices nearby—just like in an office or at a conference.
The result: interactions become more natural, spontaneous, and human—even when participants are hundreds of miles apart.
Real-world use cases
Onboarding & Training: New employees feel included right from the start.
Workshops & Creative Sessions: More energy, more spontaneity, better ideas.
Networking & Socializing: Whether around a virtual campfire or playing games together—social connections form more easily.
Regular Meetings: More authentic interaction and less digital fatigue.
Our experience at INKUBIT
We tested Immersive Spaces, for example, during an executive meeting —and the effects were noticeable:
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The changing environment helped us stay focused and made the content have a greater impact.
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Discussions became more inspiring and creative—we started thinking more “outside the box” again.
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What was particularly exciting: After the event officially ended, some participants voluntarily stayed in the virtual space a little longer to chat in smaller groups or explore the possibilities of virtual reality.
It is precisely these moments that show how digital closeness fosters genuine connection —something that rarely happens during traditional video calls.
Culture and Technology Combined
A key factor in the success of Immersive Spaces: Microsoft first tests new features internally (“Customer Zero”). Employees provide feedback on avatar etiquette, user guidance, and audio. This results in a product that meets real-world needs—and creates a more inclusive meeting experience for everyone.
Business Value for Companies
Connection Beyond Distance: Virtual Reality in Immersive Spaces 3D creates shared spaces where teams feel truly present—even when hundreds of miles separate them.
Higher productivity through engagement: The immersive environment fosters focused discussions, spontaneous exchanges, and more active participation from all attendees—leading to faster and higher-quality results.
Enabling inclusive collaboration: 3D avatars offer freedom of choice. Introverts can join conversations in smaller groups, while extroverts can participate in the main discussion—without anyone in the meeting feeling “invisible.”
Enhancing employer appeal: Companies that use innovative technologies such as Immersive Spaces 3D position themselves as modern employers. This has a direct impact on attracting and retaining talent.
Microsoft Immersive Spaces 3D for More Productive (and Fun) Meetings
Hybrid work without connection is meaningless. With Immersive Spaces 3D in Microsoft Teams, a simple call becomes a shared experience. 3D avatars and immersive spaces create a sense of closeness that motivates, inspires, and makes collaboration more human. We think it’s a great, playful change of pace from the daily grind of meetings—one that inspires us to collaborate better!
