How will Covid-19 change the world, and how will it change the way we work? As a company running a co-working space, One&Co, we have a keen interest and stake in workstyles and how they evolve. Many are trying out new things and discovering potential new value through digital platforms, by organising webinars and online events. In collaboration with Mr. Kawauchi, a research associate at National University Singapore, One&Co has thus started to explore new possibilities when it comes to workspaces. The project is also supported by CO&CO, which oversees One&Co, and GAOGAO Pte Ltd, a start up in Southeast Asia.
１）What is Phygital Office “IDOVATAR”?
“IDOVATAR” is an online 3D platform, which allow users to have a voice conference with multiple individuals.
２）What is “One&Co”?
“One&Co” is a co-working space located in the CBD area of Tanjong Pagar. A Platform for Innovative Businesses, we believe in building an inclusive community to foster connection and collaboration. Be it a start-up, freelancer, or an established enterprise, we offer flexible workspace solutions to meet various work styles and business needs. Established by East Japan Railway Company (JR EAST), One&Co aims to be an innovative hub connecting the business ecosystems of Japan, Singapore and Southeast Asia.
３）Why “IDOVATAR”?
With work-from-home and remote-work options increasingly becoming a part of our lives, One&Co believes this signals a paradigm shift in the way we work and how we conduct ourselves around it. Cracks however, are beginning to show as the work-from-home experiment stretches on. Projects and collaborations are taking longer to complete, while on-boarding new employees is increasingly challenging. To help fill some of these cracks, we decided to create a new business platform, “IDOVATAR”.
４）Plan for “IDOVATAR” functions
①Chat function: Using voice-chat functions, Users can converse with multiple individuals who are in close proximity to their avatars on the platform.
②Office functions: Users can build your own virtual office by choosing and designing its layout.
③Permissions: Users can only invite their own team members to their virtual office.
④Open-office function: Users can invite guests to their virtual office when organizing public events on the platform.
⑤Alert function: Users will be informed when team members log in and out of the platform.
⑥Do-Not-Disturb function: Users can put up a sign when they do not wish for others to disturb them.
⑦Share-screen function: Users are able to share their screens among one another when necessary.
５）Future plan for “IDOVATAR”
●End of Aug 2020: Complete pilot version of “IDOVATAR”
●Beginning of Sep 2020: Test pilot version
●Mid of Sep 2020:Offer pilot “IDOVATAR” to members and partners of One&Co
●After Oct 2020: Official launch of platform
６）Comments from Mr. Kensaku Kawauchi, a research associate at NUS
We can’t define “workspace” as just an office space in the company. When we analyse the concept of a company, we realize it is about the people who work at the place. A workspace is a platform where individuals share ideas and build synergies with one another. Therefore, when we are able to speak to one another online and recognize one another’s presence, we can then create a workspace without an actual physical environment. “IDOVATAR” thus allows us to experience the ideal working environment through a virtual platform. With an audio function as a communication tool, how loud a user would sound in “IDOVATAR” depends on the distance between characters, similar to that of the real world. You can enjoy small talk even you are online. With it being online, you can now share one space with others from all over the world. I hope “IDOVATAR” will be able to let you and your members experience a workspace with no limitation of physical distance.
Kensaku Kawauchi
Kensaku is a research associate at Smart System Laboratory at National University of Singapore. After graduating from Division of Computer Science at University of Aizu, he continued his studies at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies at Tokyo University. In 2015, Kensaku put his PhD program on hold to pursue his research on sensory technology, image processing, and the interactions between humans and computers. He is also active in helping bridge the ecosystems of Japan and Singapore, by collaborating with Japanese companies locally.
To become “A Platform for Innovative Businesses”, One&Co will continue moving forward, to create something new in an ever-changing world.
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