Citigroup ahead of the pack in virtual reality trading

One of Citigroup’s technology partners, VR design firm 8ninths, has the mission of revolutionizing business through virtual and mixed reality. When it comes to Citi reality, it means developing a working proof-of-concept for a virtual trading desk.

Microsoft’s HoloLens is not yet for sale, but it will be the chosen headset as it focuses on augmented reality, which instead of bringing you to a whole new one, it adds a digital interface on top of your real-world environment.

For traders and wealth managers, it will allow layering in tools for visualizing complex data sets, reducing logistic limitations for research purposes, charting, data analysis. But the technology is seen as useful for trading partners and customers, according to Stuart Riley, global head of technology for markets and securities services at Citi.

8ninths showcased their “Holographic Workstation” prototype, designed and engineered for Citi at Microsoft Build 2016 last week. The concept enables traders to view, process and interact with large amounts of abstract data in a combined 3D and 2D environment in a physical workstation that integrates tablet screen space, 3D holographic docking space, keyboard, mouse, gaze, gesture, voice input, and existing Citi devices and workflows.

About the project, Adam Sheppard, Co-founder and CEO at 8ninths said: “Partnering with Citi was a great opportunity for us to think outside the box to solve real world business problems by combining our expertise in data visualization, collaboration, annotation, and Mixed Reality development in a truly innovative and ground breaking way.

The outcome really evolves the workstation paradigm in a way that we think will be indicative of how information workers across multiple industries will interact with computers in the years ahead. We’re excited about partnering with companies across all verticals to provide innovative MR solutions that enhance their businesses.”

Stuart Riley, Global Head of Technology for Markets and Securities Services at Citi, stated: “We are excited to partner with Microsoft, 8ninths, and Citi Ventures on this exploration of 3D visualization and mixed reality to enrich traders’ user experience. Our Markets Lab in Tel Aviv sees great potential for this technology to enhance and humanize the next-generation markets trading working environment at Citi.”