Beyond Goggles: The Hidden Gems of VR Trends for 2023
With the growing accessibility of VR headsets and futuristic VR glasses, their role in shaping the future of work is becoming increasingly vital.
VR, TREnds
Cutting-edge immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) possess enormous potential to revolutionize both our work and leisure experiences. Enabling realistic interactions with people and objects within digital environments, these technologies are poised to redefine work in 2023.
The Workplace and Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is transcending gaming, making significant strides in the workplace. The potential is immense: Deloitte forecasts a 50% growth in the VR market in 2023, generating nearly USD 7 billion globally.
Businesses in healthcare, education, and retail are exploring its vast possibilities, particularly in health (expected to reach a value of USD 4.9 billion) and education (growing by almost 38% in 2022). As it allows for simulations in various fields, from surgeries to skill training in high-risk jobs, the excitement for VR's workplace potential continues to rise.
VR and Remote Collaboration
While video calls and shared desktops became crucial during the pandemic, remote work, though beneficial, often lacks the immersion needed for teamwork and social interaction. VR and AR tech offer a unique solution by creating a virtual office environment. This technology allows you to embody an avatar, enabling natural communication through body language and gestures, fostering more engaging onboarding and productive collaborative environments.
As businesses seek remote solutions without losing physical collaboration, VR becomes pivotal. The demand is evident, with 60% of employees desiring VR integration by 2024 and 62% keen on VR-based collaborative spaces. Embracing the metaverse in the workplace could revolutionize accessibility and inclusivity, potentially replacing traditional office hardware with VR headsets for a sense of togetherness.
Key VR and AR Trends for 2023
In the upcoming year, expect a surge in VR app development aiming to transcend headset dependency.
VR Apps
Developers are striving to merge VR capabilities with mobile apps, leveraging smart devices' advanced hardware. While full mobile immersion may take time, mixed-reality experiences are on the rise to broaden VR's appeal.
Simultaneously, AR apps blending digital content with reality will maintain their dominance, potentially occupying over 80% of the mobile app market in 2023.
Corporate VR and the Metaverse
Highly anticipated Meta Quest Pro virtual reality (VR) headset. Positioned as the company's latest and most cutting-edge entry into the Metaverse, this next-generation device marks a significant leap forward in immersive technology.
This year, the corporate world will witness the metaverse office gaining traction, propelled by the emergence of new VR technologies like the Meta Quest Pro headset. Virtual tools enabling seamless collaboration, idea sharing, and client meetings regardless of physical distance will take center stage.
Presently, only 19% of employees feel more engaged during video conferences, with just 15% experiencing enhanced collaboration. The shift will emphasize tailored VR environments mirroring reality, yet improved. For instance, replicating office spaces to enhance familiarity during remote work, possibly incorporating breathtaking views or inspiring artwork.
Immersive Learning with VR
VR facilitates safe and controlled simulations of high-risk real-world scenarios, from surgical procedures to handling heavy machinery, offering a cost-effective training solution without risking real-life situations. Moreover, VR isn't limited to technical training; it also extends to soft skills like addressing unconscious bias and stress management by replicating real-life situations.
According to a PwC study, learning through VR is highly efficient, enabling individuals to grasp material in 30 minutes that would take 2 hours in a traditional classroom setting. Learners also show higher emotional investment, with three-quarters acknowledging a more profound understanding of inclusivity during a VR diversity course.
Accelerated Design and Prototyping with VR
In today's competitive landscape, the demand for rapid and cost-effective innovation drives companies to explore faster product development. VR plays a pivotal role in expediting this process. Designers utilize VR headsets and 3D printers to create and refine designs at home, bypassing the time-consuming phase of physical prototyping and real-life testing.
Enhancing Customer Service with VR and AR
Businesses increasingly leverage VR and AR to elevate customer experiences. Unlike conventional chatbots and AI avatars, VR emerges as a potent tool. It empowers customer service agents to fully immerse customers in their brand and their real-time data, offering an enriched understanding of how products or services positively impact their lives.
VR Retail Revolution
Online shopping, despite its convenience, lacks the immersive touch of traditional stores. Virtual fitting rooms and home design tools addressed this gap to an extent, but the future promises a more realistic experience.
Customers will enter VR stores via headsets, navigating lifelike virtual environments, interacting with 3D products and staff, and potentially customizing items before purchase. The evolution suggests a future where each shopper enjoys an AI retail assistant, guiding purchases aligned with their preferences and budget.
Enhanced Travel Marketing with VR
Travel companies are increasingly integrating VR into their marketing strategies to entice more bookings. This approach allows for a lifelike preview of destinations, enabling customers to experience Caribbean beaches or luxurious hotel rooms before making bookings.
Rising VR Well-being Initiatives
In 2023, employee well-being remains a top priority for employers. VR apps like Tripp and Supernatural offer guided visualizations, mindfulness, and fitness techniques, addressing workplace stress and anxiety. VR therapy is set to expand, tackling a wider array of workplace pressures.
These VR trends for 2023 are just the beginning of the transformative potential of this technology. As more organizations invest in immersive tech, the future of the metaverse looks promising. Companies not incorporating VR and AR in their long-term strategies may lag behind more forward-thinking enterprises.
Reference
https://builtin.com/healthcare-technology/ar-virtual-reality-healthcare
https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2022/12/ar-vr-medical-training-2023-perfcon
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/virtual-reality-vr-market-in-education
https://www.xrtoday.com/virtual-reality/top-7-vr-education-applications-to-explore-in-2023/
https://traqq.com/blog/vr-apps-for-work/
https://www.workplace.com/future-of-work
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/05/the-future-of-education-is-in-experiential-learning-and-vr/
https://www.xrtoday.com/virtual-reality/can-professionals-work-in-virtual-reality/
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