Extended Reality, or XR, is an umbrella term encapsulating Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and everything in between. It has been transforming remote work by enhancing virtual meetings and enabling immersive collaboration through real-world use cases, its challenges, and emerging trends.
The shift towards remote work has been one of the most significant workplace transformations in recent years. Zoom and Microsoft Teams have been the previous apps to bridge the gap in remote working. Now, Extended Reality is redefining the future of remote work by offering immersive and interactive experiences by conducting lifelike virtual meetings to create an entirely different workspace. By doing this, XR will make remote work more dynamic and productive for the employees as well.
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Understanding XR in Detail
Extended Reality comprises a number of immersive technologies which are integrated which are namely Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality.
Virtual Reality (VR) is are simulated environment which are immersive and puts the users into a virtual world, which they can enter typically using a headset. Programs like Meta Quest, SteamVR, and HTC Vive are some examples of VR. The VR technologies have also significantly improved and will push forward to implement a sense of touch and smell.
Augmented Reality (AR) is when rendered images are overlaid onto the real world, which brings forth a new interactive environment for users. Pokémon GO is one of the most famous examples that used this technology, where people could see their favorite pocket monsters standing on real-world lawns and sidewalks. AR can also help people navigate directions on maps and create arrows indicating the direction the user has to turn in real life.
Mixed Reality (MR) is where real-world and rendered graphics are mixed to create an environment where users can interact directly with the digital and physical worlds. MR environments can be experienced on a phone or a tablet through headsets and interact with digital objects by placing them in the real world.
XR is the combination of all these technologies and has also become increasingly accessible with All-in-One Headsets, which can deliver VR streaming technology almost anywhere at any time. One of the most recent trends that is possible is streaming XR experiences through 5G networks, which helps users not be limited to one space.
Real World Uses of XR
XR has been used to conduct virtual meetings throughout office spaces worldwide, where employees can interact using avatars. This has been used by companies like Accenture, where platforms like Horizon workrooms have been provided to provide virtual offices where employees can get a sense of physical presence, making remote meetings more engaging.
Accenture has used VR meetings on its virtual campus, which allowed global teams to cooperate in the virtual space and also allowed employees to engage more and collaborate better than with standard video calls.
Another use of XR is revolutionising corporate training and onboarding by offering simulated tasks to employees, where they can hone their skills without any risks in a virtual setting. Companies like Walmart have used VR for employee training, simulating customer interactions and emergency procedures, which has also reduced their training costs significantly.
XR has also been significant in helping remote teams collaborate on projects with less difficulty. Companies like NVIDIA and Ford have used XR platforms to perform their collaborations on 3D designs and vehicle prototypes, respectively. This reduces the need for physical prototypes and also boosts productivity for the workers, allowing employees to work on the same project simultaneously.
Challenges of Using XR
Despite all the advantages, XR does pose several challenges that need to be addressed. Firstly, the high cost and hardware required for XR are high. Devices like Meta Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro are very expensive to date, making the adoption of XR on a larger scale difficult for starting and medium-sized businesses.
XR also possesses hardware limitations, like battery life and performance, which hinder long work sessions. They also need high-speed internet, which, if limited, will cause lag and worsen the whole experience for employees. XR also causes health issues like motion sickness and eye fatigue, which do not make it accessible to people with device trouble.
Finally, XR also needs improvements to its remote collaboration programs, as it collects biometric data from the employees. Encryption of data and safeguards is necessary for users to feel safe when using the devices.
Recent Trends in XR
Recently, companies have started blending offline and online work, which allows employees to be present in the office and also virtually. Incorporating AI into VR is also another improvement that has enhanced productivity in XR environments.
Companies have incorporated customisable avatars and lifelike interactions as well as cross-device compatibility, which allows for more users to collaborate and join.
Conclusion
Extended Reality or XR has been on the verge of transforming remote work by making engaging and immersive virtual meetings and training for employees. Virtual offices and simulators have significantly increased work productivity and interactions with remote teams. Although cost and privacy issues are lingering, companies have pushed for hybrid models and more accessible hardware, which will bring forward the XR technology and redefine the future of remote working
