How to use Cisco Webex on the Realwear HMT-1?

This article provides information on how the RealWear HMT-1 AR headset can be used in combination with the Cisco Webex online platform. 

What is Cisco Webex?

Cisco Webex is one of the largest video calling platforms of the moment. Cisco is an application that can be downloaded on the RealWear HMT-1 and with Cisco Webex people can make (video) calls to each other. 

The steps below explain how to install Cisco Webex. 

What do I need to get started with Cisco Webex?

Before you can get started with Cisco Webex, it is important to have a RealWear HMT-1 in your possession. A Cisco ” NOW Meetings – Meetings Center ” license must also be obtained. Finally, a Cisco Webex Expert On Demand add-on must be added to this license. VR Expert can guide you through installing Cisco Webex On Demand on the RealWear and requesting the license.

How to install Cisco Webex on the RealWear HMT-1

Once the licenses are requested and ready to use, the Cisco on Demand application must be installed on the RealWear HMT-1. The easiest way to do this is via Foresight – RealWear’s cloud management environment. When purchasing a RealWear HMT-1, you can request your Foresight credentials or ask your dealer to install the application for you.  You can link your device to Foresight by means of the serial number. You can then add the Cisco On Demand application to the device, after which it will be installed automatically as soon as the RealWear HMT-1 has an internet connection. For a detailed explanation of Foresight, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnL8wO4o0Kk 

Logging in to Cisco Webex

Before you can use Cisco Webex on the RealWear HMT-1, it is important to have a good WiFi connection. Then start the Cisco Webex application on the RealWear HMT-1. You do this by saying the words “expert on demand” in the my programs section.  After starting the expert on demand application, a login screen will appear. The easiest way to log in is to scan a QR code. This code can be generated in two ways. 

1. Via the RealWear Companion Application (available on Android and iOS)
2. Via https://expert-on-demand.webex.com/. 

If you choose option 2, you can log in with your Webex account. After logging in, a QR code will appear that you can scan with the RealWear after saying the words “scan code”.

Calling with Cisco Webex and the RealWear HMT-1

You can call via Cisco Webex in 3 ways.

• Recent contacts.
• The directory
• Your teams. 

Recent contacts

When the app is configured and access has been granted, a screen automatically opens with your most recent contacts. On this screen, you can easily get in touch with your most recent contacts by saying the following words: “select item” and then saying the number in front of your contact’s name. So for example: “select item 3”. When this is done, there are two options.

1. “Make call”.
2. ”Request help”. 

These are both voice commands that can be spoken literally. When you choose ”make call”, a direct connection will be made with the contact person. When you choose ” request help ”, a message will be sent to your contact person that you need help, and whether your contact person wants to contact you. 

Directory

Another option in the ‘home screen’ is ” directory ”. Simply navigate there by saying the word ”directory”. Once in the directory, you can look up any name on your network by saying the following words: “search directory”. You can then say the letters of the person you want, which were not in your recent contacts, one by one. When the person you want appears on your screen, say “close keyboard” then “select item (number)”. You can now choose between ” make a call ” or ” request help ”, the same options as when choosing a contact from the recent contacts screen. 

Display teams

Yet another option to find a contact in the home screen is display teams. By saying the words ” display teams ” you will be taken to a screen with the teams you are a part of. You can then select a team and a list of all contacts within this team will appear on your screen. Select your contact in the same way as you did in recent contacts or directory, to connect to that contact.

How to Group call with Webex Expert on Demand on the RealWear HMT-1

It is possible to add more people when you are in a call. This can be done if the expert behind the screen on his or her computer opens the application. When the expert is on a call, he or she has the option to choose ” add guest ” by clicking on the blue menu item with the three dots. The expert can immediately add up to four contacts to an active 1:1 call. When calling from a team room, you can add up to 200 contacts. 

Share a Screen with Webex Expert on Demand on the RealWear HMT-1

The easy thing about Webex Expert on Demand is that everything on your screen can be selected by speaking it. For example, the HMT-1 user can easily initiate screen sharing by saying the words “share screen”. When this is done, a pop up will appear. In this pop-up, you will be asked for permission to share the screen via Expert on Demand. To consent, you can say the voice command ” start now ” or ” select item 3 ”. Now that you have given access to the application, the expert on the other side can make full use of the annotation tools and this will be displayed live to the HMT-1 user. 

Advantages and disadvantages of Cisco Webex

An advantage is that Webex Expert on Demand is easy to integrate with existing Webex environments. The integration of the system in combination with the RealWear HMT-1 then generally proceeds very smoothly. In addition, the possibility of group calls (multi call) is a great advantage of Webex Expert on Demand. The disadvantage of using Webex Expert on Demand is that an additional add-on license is required if you are already using a webex environment. Webex itself has limited functionalities for use with a smart glass, because Webex is not specifically designed for smart glasses. The add-on is specifically designed for this.