HybridPortal: Enabling Hybrid Group Interactions in Hybrid Events through a Mobile Portal

Hybrid events are increasingly prevalent, offering in-person and remote participation to enhance inclusivity and sustainability. However, they often fail to create cohesive experiences, leaving remote participants feeling disconnected from in-person interactions. We present HybridPortal, a novel system that transforms a large monitor into a movable portal, bridging virtual and physical event spaces. By streaming AR video from the physical venue, HybridPortal allows remote attendees to interact with in-person attendees and view the surrounding physical environment as in-person attendees move the portal through the venue, while in-person attendees navigate and engage with remote attendees in the virtual space. We deployed HybridPortal at a hybrid conference, implementing hybrid group activities to explore its impact on social interactions. Our findings demonstrate how HybridPortal’s mobility and cross-realm interactions enhance social presence, facilitate group engagement, and inform the design of future hybrid systems. We contribute insights into leveraging spatial dynamics and hybrid group interactions to create more cohesive and engaging social experiences for hybrid events.