The screens can be arranged in various combinations and orientations to provide a flexible and adaptive system that supports creative teamwork.

Prototypes of the collaborative workspaces are now operational across three sites in Adelaide and Sydney and form part of Braccetto TeamNets, a suite of hardware, software and knowledge systems that can be deployed into a range of distributed collaboration systems.

The Braccetto TeamNets architecture can be tailored to teams' requirements using computer-controlled motors to orient and reposition the screens and through the addition of interactive devices such as lighting and cameras. The whole system can be packed into cases for rapid transportation to other locations.

As part of the Braccetto project, researchers are looking at principles underlying effective, intense, remote collaboration. The results of this investigation may provide new ways of supporting distributed teams involved in creative activities such as collaborative design, planning, analysis and decision making.

Dr Vernik says that groups that regularly engage in these kinds of collaborative and creative activities will benefit from the research including military planners, scientific researchers and creative design teams.