Introduction to Mixed Reality

The development of low-cost mixed reality hardware has been on the rise in recent times, resulting in a renewed interest in using these devices in real-world business environments. However, with so many modern technologies emerging, it’s essential to think about whether virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are value prioritizing.

The Potential of Virtual and Augmented Reality

Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 has been widely utilized in the engineering sector and is becoming increasingly vital in healthcare, particularly in surgery. While businesses have been adjusting to working in digital spaces, these environments aren’t as immersive as VR and AR. The value of shifting two-dimensional communications to three-dimensional immersive experiences is slowly being realized, and the hardware and software being developed aim to make these technologies as common as video calls.

Augmented Reality: A More Practical Solution

For many organizations, VR could also be too complex to pursue and offers few practical applications. AR, however, might be more widely adopted. Smartphone-based AR applications exist already, but the following generation of smart glasses, being developed by corporations like Apple, Facebook, and Amazon, could integrate AR into core business processes, including communications and recruitment.

Mixed Reality Savings

The pandemic has taught business leaders that simply buying more digital tools won’t deliver efficiency gains. Adopting more engaging communications tools is crucial for supporting post-COVID digital transformation roadmaps. The value businesses might gain from implementing VR and AR might be vast, particularly in areas like business travel. For example, using VR headsets as a substitute of traveling for meetings could create substantial savings.

Training and Education

Another significant area where VR and AR technologies are used is training. Energy company Shell uses VR to organize staff for working in hazardous environments. Research has also found that a 3rd of respondents wish to see more VR in education, with nearly half of UK adults believing digital platforms will likely be on the forefront of delivering education in the approaching years. Immersive experiences likely represent the longer term of how businesses will train their staff.

Don’t Replace, Augment

Buying into technology for its own sake has never been helpful for businesses. Any latest projects require a clearly defined goal and an in depth path to achieving these goals. The key’s to make use of VR in appropriate settings where users profit from its unique capabilities. For example, the University of Wolverhampton created 3D digital visualizations of its latest campus using immersive technologies, providing a brand new approach to analyze, manage, and interact with the built world.

Real-World Applications

There are many examples of organizations adopting immersive tech to create digital twins. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, as an example, was changed into a smartphone-friendly hybrid experience with an AR twist. Overlaying the actual world with additional information has multiple applications across several industries, including retail, fashion, and wayfinding.

Conclusion

The trajectory for AR and VR technologies is positive, particularly with hardware becoming smaller and lighter, and mainstream business cases emerging more continuously. While VR-equipped surgeons might grab the headlines, the actual power of this technology is perhaps when it becomes commonplace in communications and collaboration. As the technology continues to evolve, we are able to expect to see more businesses adopting VR and AR to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the general user experience.