In his 1983 book, “The Human Built World,” Thomas P. Hughes wrote, “The most important aspect of technology is not what it can do in and of itself, but what it can do in conjunction with human beings.”
Hughes, an American historian of technology and engineering, was acutely aware of technology’s profound impact on our society and culture.
Forty years after his prescient observations, humanity is contending with history’s most powerful and pervasive technologies that present fundamental questions about how we are to function within our communities, organizations and societies.
There are more questions than answers at the moment. But one thing is clear, the latest advances in AI and VR offer powerful new ways for businesses to connect with customers and their employees. Business pragmatism will drive broader adoption. These will be tools used to solve problems “in conjunction with human beings.” VR and AI’s broader implications for societies will be sorted out in parallel.
“The latest advances in AI and VR offer powerful new ways for businesses to connect with customers and their employees. Businesses can now integrate VR into their communication and collaboration processes, making it more accessible and affordable than ever before. This will undoubtedly drive significant growth in its adoption across various industries,” said Angela Harar, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events.
We’re witnessing a tremendously uncertain but nonetheless exciting period. We are at the start of an entirely new era of business. The human imagination is limitless. So too is the sky. And so, it’s up to us to discover and explore what VR and AI can offer “in conjunction with human beings.”
It’s still early in the game, and companies that ignore these new technologies risk extinction.
Compared to AI and VR, the printing press was child’s play. But, like the watershed moment of Gutenberg’s invention, a new era of transformation and invention is upon us. What it will look like is up for grabs.
VR: The Ocean to Carry Us to Unseen Shores
“Information flows like an ocean around our feet, waiting to carry us away to strange and uncharted shores,” said Finn, a character in the science fiction novel “Accelerando,” by Charles Stross.
Indeed, if Mark Zuckerberg had his way, his Metaverse would represent the next advance in human exploration unto those “strange and uncharted shores.” And he’d probably like to control the information – and its ocean – and the exploration of the metaverse in pursuit of his aims. After all, he’s bet his company on VR.
In a way, the next significant era of exploration has already begun – this time with AI and VR.
Just look at UC&C in businesses worldwide. Companies have adopted VR in limited but increasingly essential applications. Despite its slow adoption rate as a consumer entertainment platform, VR offers companies and organizations an almost irresistible immersive experience to revolutionize communication, collaboration, and innovation.
Accessible and Affordable VR Technology
One of the main drivers behind the widespread adoption of VR in UC&C environments is its increasing affordability and accessibility.
The emergence of standalone VR headsets and the development of cloud-based VR solutions make it easier for businesses to integrate VR into their communication and collaboration processes. It’s expected to drive significant growth in its adoption across various industries.
“From rethinking how to design facilities to how modern tech will allow us to work differently, professionals are trying to determine what to make of the rapid transformation. We look forward to hosting peer-exchange sessions like “Emerging AR/VR; Harmonizing Facilities, Technology and Culture; Equipping Your Workplace: Using Today’s Technologies to Create the Collaborative Spaces We’re Longing For” to learn directly from IT, AV and CX professionals on how they’re integrating these emerging technologies,” Harar added.
AI + VR = Turbocharged Metaverse
AI and VR are a hand-and-glove relationship. Together it has tremendously exciting possibilities for UC&C and businesses in general.
Key benefits include:
VR-Enabled Remote Collaboration
Employees can use VR headsets and collaboration platforms to participate in virtual meetings, brainstorming sessions, and training, regardless of location, that feels more like in-person interactions. That can lead to more effective communication, greater engagement, and stronger relationships among team members.
Improved training and learning
AI-powered virtual reality offers immense potential for revolutionizing training and education. It can create real-world situations, allowing employees to gain hands-on experience without the risks or costs of traditional training methods in a safe and controlled environment. These programs can adapt to the user’s performance and learning curve, providing personalized feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Enhanced customer experience
VR and AI can create immersive and delightful customer service experiences, including virtual showrooms, interactive product demonstrations, or realistic simulations. That can help customers make more informed decisions and improve overall satisfaction.
Data visualization and analytics
VR can visualize complex data sets in 3D, making it easier for teams to understand and analyze information. AI can enhance these visualizations by identifying patterns and trends, providing actionable insights to guide decision-making.
Streamlined design and prototyping
VR enables teams to create and review 3D models of products or environments, while AI can help optimize designs, predict performance, and identify potential issues before they become costly problems.
Remote assistance and support
VR and AI can provide real-time remote assistance to employees in the field, allowing experts to guide and troubleshoot issues virtually, reducing downtime and travel expenses.
Meeting efficiency
AI-powered transcription, translation, and summarization services can be integrated with VR meetings to make them more accessible and efficient, allowing participants to focus on the most critical points and collaborate more effectively.
Enhanced creativity
VR and AI can open internal teams to new creativity to explore new ideas, visualize concepts, and improve designs more quickly and efficiently.
Cost savings
Integrating VR and AI can save costs by reducing the need for physical office spaces, travel, and resources.
We’ve Only Just Begun and the Future Looks Wide Open
The impact of virtual reality on UC&C is just beginning. As it advances, expect more transformative changes. Some potential future developments include:
More affordable and accessible VR headsets
The cost of VR headsets has been a significant barrier to adoption. But prices are coming down.
It’s difficult to provide a precise percentage or dollar amount decrease because VR hardware encompasses a range of devices and components, including headsets, controllers, and sensors. However, a general overview of some notable price drops during this period include:
Oculus Rift: The first consumer version of the Oculus Rift was launched in March 2016 with a price of $599. Today, it’s listed on Amazon for $319.
HTC Vive: The original HTC Vive was released in April 2016, with a launch price of $799. Today it is listed for $569 on the Vive website.
Oculus Quest: On March 5th, 2023 Meta announced a price drop for its Oculus Quest 2 256GB to $429.99 which is $70 less than its current price. The original Oculus Quest was released in 2019, and it was priced at $399 for the 64 GB version and $499 for the 128 GB version.
Improved graphics and performance
The graphics and performance of VR headsets are constantly improving. It will become even more lifelike.
More realistic haptic feedback
Haptic feedback is the ability to simulate the sense of touch in a virtual environment. It’s achieved by using devices that vibrate or move in response to what is happening in the virtual environment. Haptic feedback will make VR more realistic and immersive.
More natural user interfaces
User interfaces for VR are still in the early stages. But, as technology develops, UIs will become more natural and intuitive. That will make it easier for users to interact with VR environments.
The Top Ten Companies Vying for Position in the Metaverse
Microsoft HoloLens (Teams)
The Microsoft HoloLens is a mixed-reality headset that can collaborate with others in a virtual space. For example, users can use the HoloLens to share their screens, draw on whiteboards, and even give presentations.
Varjo (Teleport)
Varjo’s Teleport platform allows users to collaborate in a virtual environment that is as realistic as possible. Users can see each other’s avatars in real-time and interact with objects in the environment as if they were there in person.
NVIDIA (Omniverse)
NVIDIA’s Omniverse is a platform that allows users to collaborate on 3D projects in real time. Users can share models, textures, and other assets and can work together to create realistic simulations.
Autodesk (AEC)
Architects, engineers, and construction professionals use Autodesk’s AEC platform to collaborate on building projects. Users can use the platform to share 3D models, blueprints, and other documents, and they can work together to make changes to the design of a building.
Frame
Frame is a company that provides VR headsets for businesses. The company’s headsets are designed for use in collaboration and training settings.
ENGAGE XR
ENGAGE XR is a company that provides VR training solutions for businesses. The company’s solutions train employees on various topics, including safety, customer service, and product knowledge.
RealWear (Teams)
RealWear’s HMT-1 is a wearable computer designed for use in hazardous environments. The computer can access information, communicate with others, and record video. It can also be used to view 3D models and other data in VR.
Agora
Agora is a company that provides real-time communication solutions for businesses. The company’s solutions offer video conferencing, live streaming, and other communication services.
Magic Leap
Magic Leap is a company that develops augmented reality headsets. The company’s headsets are designed to overlay digital information on the real world. This can be used for various purposes, including training, education, and entertainment.
Meta Quest Pro has Microsoft Office 365
The Meta Quest Pro is a VR headset designed for enterprise use. The headset is compatible with Microsoft Office 365, meaning users can access and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Never Stop Exploring
The North Face, an American outdoor recreation products company, uses the slogan “Never Stop Exploring,” which is vital to human happiness and fulfilment.
The next advance in human experience could well be worlds within worlds fuelled by intense exploration – in virtual reality.
