Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are finding their place in the market. And from virtual meetings to robust new ways of prototyping, both have the potential to impact the business world in the near future.
VR is great for training and meetings
VR/AR can be used to capture knowledge, and VR is a fantastic, immersive way to engage your workforce in training or other information flow. Whilst still removing the need to travel, thus saving both time and money, VR will completely re-write the traditional expectation of a conference call!
“These technology-driven tools are getting better, more realistic, and are already accepted by those entering the workforce” explains Joseph D’Angelo of D’Angelo Technologies, LLC.
“Training in a virtual world can be as good as on a real piece of equipment,” says Brian Blau, research vice-president at Gartner. In some scenarios, simulated training is superior to the real thing: Not only does it eliminate the risk of accidents in high-risk jobs, it has been proven to shorten instruction periods and increase people’s abilities to remember what they learn.
The next level for prototyping / previewing
VR and AR will enable companies to visualise what they’re building in a way that’s never before been possible. This will result in better insight into your product early in the process, for designers, decision makers, and even end users, allowing early feedback, and ultimately meaning that less time and money is wasted.
It’s not just developers who will benefit here – what about viewing potential new premises for your business (and checking out practical details in the run-up to the move)?
What do your clients want to experience?
Some markets may particularly benefit here. How about residents in a nursing home using VR to “be” at the beach, or in the mountains?!
Access experts remotely
Steve Convey, technology lead for Accenture, says that transformation will come from giving employees access to experts remotely—not simply for meetings, but for problem-solving. “Imagine a paramedic responding to an emergency,” he says. “Doctors with specific skills can help provide care or decisions to that emergency responder through AR.” Likewise, technicians working in remote locations—on an oil rig, say, or in an aircraft—can call on distant experts for help with repairs.