Cisco and NVIDIA Partner to Empower AI-driven Hybrid Workspaces

Cisco introduced the latest phase in its collaboration with NVIDIA, aiming to offer AI-driven meetings for hybrid workspaces. Cisco unveiled Room Kit EQX and expanded its Cinematic Meetings features, utilizing NVIDIA's AI engine. These enhancements bring audio and video intelligence, fostering more inclusive and effective hybrid meetings.

“For people to want to come to the office, companies must fundamentally reimagine and reconfigure workspaces to provide seamless and immersive collaboration experience,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager, of Cisco Security and Collaboration. “Our collaboration with NVIDIA helps make this possible as we expand our portfolio of AI-powered solutions that unlock the potential of hybrid workers.”

Incorporating video devices with AI and machine learning is vital for preserving investments in AI-driven hybrid work solutions. The seamless fusion of Cisco's top-tier hardware, advanced conference room operating system (RoomOS), and NVIDIA's AI-driven technology enables Cisco to offer the most advanced AI and machine learning platform in the industry, providing 20 times the capabilities of previous generations.

“Edge AI is playing a vital role in bringing autonomy and improving productivity across many industries,” said Deepu Talla, Vice President of Embedded and Edge Computing, at NVIDIA. “Cisco and NVIDIA have been pioneering the use of AI to enhance collaboration in the workplace, and the new line of products will bring transformative technology to this space.”

Room Kit EQX = Beautiful, Future-of-Meeting Rooms

Cisco has transformed its range of devices by incorporating NVIDIA AI modules, offering solutions tailored to various budgets and work environments. Many customers are focusing on upgrading medium to large spaces, crucial for important meetings. Previously, enabling video in these spaces was complicated, involving the integration of multiple audio, video, and furniture components, often requiring an on-site specialist for deployment.

Room Kit EQX introduces a seamless collaboration solution, enabling effortless deployment of aesthetically pleasing and futuristic meeting spaces consistently across different locations.

Benefits for hybrid workers include:

Simplified deployment and maintenance:

Customers enjoy versatile mounting choices, whether wall-mounted or free-standing, sometimes eliminating the need for permits and additional construction expenses. This device also removes the necessity for separate speaker setups, various mounting options, and specific furniture enclosures, thereby reducing both the time and expenditure associated with setting up key meeting spaces.

Advanced audiovisual capabilities: By harnessing the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI-driven computer platform to enhance camera, audio, and speech intelligence, the EQX minimizes the sense of separation between individuals attending meetings in person and those joining remotely.

Interoperability across platforms: In RoomOS mode, the EQX seamlessly integrates native Webex Meetings and robust video interoperability with third-party meeting platforms. Additionally, it offers native support for Microsoft Teams Rooms enhanced with full-featured Webex Meetings capabilities.

Unified management and security: IT admins can take advantage of device management and workspace analytics capabilities in the Cisco Control Hub.

Cinematic Meetings through Distance Zero:

In today's digitized and global workforce, physical presence in meetings is becoming less common. Cisco's Cinematic Meetings capabilities, powered by NVIDIA Jetson system-on-module, create collaborative experiences that bridge the gap of distance, fostering a sense of being in the same room, regardless of physical location. This concept, named Distance Zero by Cisco, aims to make meetings more inclusive and equitable. Cisco is extending Distance Zero experiences to various workspaces and scenarios to ensure equal participation for all attendees.

New immersive workspace setups:

Cisco is introducing a groundbreaking boardroom setup reminiscent of a campfire experience. The design features four quad cameras and eye-level screens arranged in a circular configuration, delivering an immersive view of content and remote participants. This setup ensures an inclusive experience, making both remote and in-person attendees feel like they are engaging in face-to-face collaboration.

Hybrid presentations:

Customers can now enjoy cinematic meetings in auditoriums and training-style rooms. Cisco devices smoothly transition between cameras and views, offering remote participants optimal views of speakers, content, and audience reactions. With a new hybrid presenter mode, both remote and in-room speakers can seamlessly share the stage for virtually in-person hybrid presentations.