Leicester-based business eyes the future with new tech gadget
A local businessman has invented a new gadget which he says promises a “very simple solution to the problem of online eye contact”.
Dan Baker-Collins, the owner of Leicester-based PLC Media, says he created the View-You Cam because he was getting so frustrated about not being able to look people in the eye any more.
He said: “I run online training courses and was getting frustrated about having to look up into the camera to engage with delegates, when what I really wanted to do was look at them down on the screen to keep an eye on them and read the room. So a colleague and I created a camera you can move around the screen and position right next to the face of the person you’re talking to. Or for larger group training sessions, right in the middle of the group. We’ve taken it quickly from lightbulb moment to fully functioning prototype and are now crowd funding to get it into production.”
The product has attracted endorsements from some influential East Midlanders, including: fitness guru Rosemary Conley CBE who describes it as “revolutionary”; Classic FM presenter Katie Breathwick, originally from Leicestershire, who calls it “a real game changer”; and David Hayward from Hayward Black Media, based in Wymeswold, who said “it’s incredible”.
Baker-Collins said he’s been “blown away” by the response so far.
He added: “Since we launched the Kickstarter campaign the messages of support I’ve been receiving have been absolutely incredible. I was so worried as the timing ended up being awful – everyone is so pre-occupied with the new Covid restrictions and the impact they’ll have on Christmas. But there’s been so much enthusiasm and support for the View-You Cam, that I really hope we can now turn it into a reality – for the benefit of anyone who uses online platforms to communicate, whether that’s a training course, a business meeting, or a chat with your mum!”
