Google is releasing hardware for video conferencing together with Lenovo

Google announces Series One, a product line of video conferencing hardware with Google Meet. Google uses its own Tensor Processing Units for smart processing of audio and video and has partnered with Lenovo.

The Google Series One packages consist of a camera, soundbar, small computer and a screen for operation. There will be three different configurations, for small, medium and large spaces. All sets include a soundbar with eight built-in microphones. That soundbar also contains two of Google’s tpu’s. According to the search giant, those chips are responsible for processing audio. The sound bars would automatically filter out disturbing noise and ensure that the person speaking is clearly audible.

A 4k camera is mounted above the soundbar and Google and Lenovo are working with Huddly for this. That is a company that makes video conferencing cameras that work with artificial intelligence. The cameras automatically zoom in on the person speaking.

The whole thing runs on Meet Compute System, which is a Chrome OS based operating system that runs on a small included computer. The box contains an Intel Core i7-8550U laptop processor, 4GB ram and a 128GB SSD. Also in this box are tpu’s from Google, which help to process video and audio during meetings.

The system is designed for video conferencing with Google Meet and should work automatically as much as possible. In this way, the hardware automatically receives over-the-air updates. The touch screen for operation, the soundbar and the camera are powered via Ethernet. Only the computer needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet. The system can be expanded with multiple sound bars and Mic Pods via daisy chaining.

Google does not disclose prices for the Series One hardware. According to the accompanying website, the sets will be released soon. Interested companies should contact Lenovo.