X

AR video chat helps you help others

Using augmented reality, the Chalk app aims to make remote communication and assistance easy.

James Martin
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
James Martin
project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-3020.jpg
1 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Project Chalk is a video chat app that incorporates augmented reality, allowing you to annotate real-world objects in order to help friends (or family members) with tasks.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-2988.jpg
2 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Which remote do I use for the cable box? Here, one user has circled the gray remote to point it out to the person on the other end of the chat.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-2980.jpg
3 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Circle a button on the gray remote on your screen, and the person you're talking to sees on their own screen specifically what they need to do.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-2966.jpg
4 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Here, one person has referenced a button on the coffee maker and circled it for the other person.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-3008.jpg
5 of 8 James Martin/CNET

This example shows Project Chalk being used to help with homework. The AR app aims to let people better interact over distance.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-3050.jpg
6 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Complex tasks, such as wiring and setting up electronics, can be made easier using Project Chalk.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-3037.jpg
7 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Capture a screenshot (seen in the bottom right) to compare previous referenced items to what is happening in real time.

project-chalk-ar-augmented-reality-video-chat-help-2947.jpg
8 of 8 James Martin/CNET

Vuforia's Project Chalk enables one-to-one communication supplemented by augmented reality.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos