As we move further into the digital age, workplace technology is continuing to evolve, and virtual reality (VR) stands at the forefront of this transformation. Once seen only in gaming and entertainment, VR is now recognized as a strong tool for improving workplace dynamics.
Its immersive capabilities allow employees to engage in unique and interactive experiences that foster collaboration, training, and innovation. VR can also improve recruitment practices and make product development easier and its potential uses in professional settings are wide and diverse.
Here, we explore five key ways that virtual reality is set to transform the workplace.
1. Increased Connection and Collaboration
Virtual reality allows people to come together and collaborate regardless of physical distance. However, unlike with video conferencing, VR users feel like they are inhibiting the same space, resulting in more effective collaboration. VR also provides the platform for users to view and manipulate data together in real time.
Some companies choose to install mixed-reality rooms for VR meetings and collaborative work sessions, while others distribute VR headsets for use in the office or remotely. The technology is easily accessible and intuitive, helping people across the world connect and collaborate.
2. New HR Practices
With the effortless, global connectivity VR provides, human resources will change drastically. With access to workers across the world, companies will expand their hiring practices to ensure they attract top talent. As part of the interview process, prospective employees will have the chance to virtually shadow their potential position to get a real sense of the day-to-day responsibilities.
VR can also be used for a variety of interactive HR workshops. The NFL currently uses VR in their diversity training, allowing their people to experience the prejudice and harassment that can occur in the workplace – a process they find far more effective than simply outlining company regulations.
3. Upgraded Training Techniques
The ability to put people into fully immersive real-life scenarios creates the perfect training tool. VR training is especially beneficial in high-risk situations, as it allows employees to gain experience safely.
Both NASA and the armed forces currently use VR training, minimizing risk and costs. Even Walmart has taken advantage of the technology, using simulations to train employees for Black Friday sales. Regardless of the industry, VR offers the opportunity for an engaging and educational training experience.
4. More Efficient Product Development
Within a computer-generated environment, product development will become more efficient than ever. Virtual reality can be used to test products in a variety of scenarios, eliminating the need for expensive physical prototypes. During trials, changes to a product can be made virtually and tested immediately, allowing the final product to be refined faster than ever.
Large scale manufacturers are already using VR to test everything from spacecrafts to cars. Ford uses the Oculus Rift, a popular VR headset commonly used by consumers for gaming, to create and refine virtual prototypes. The company’s senior technical leader Jeff Greenberg notes “The impact on cost, time and quality are significant, and have allowed our designers and engineers more creative freedoms to explore options that in the past would have been to time- or cost-intensive to consider.”
5. Innovative Marketing Practices
Virtual reality gives the old fashion test drive a whole new meaning. From cars to vacations, VR creates the opportunity to try nearly every product and experience on the market before making a purchase. And when consumers are ready to make that purchase, they’ll be able to do it virtually.
Etsy utilized VR by launching The Etsy House, a shoppable experience that enables users to navigate a virtual home filled with Etsy items. The engaging encounter offered by VR is potent and unforgettable, establishing a private link between companies and customers that can sway buying choices.
As virtual reality continues to evolve, its influence on the workplace will only grow. From improving collaboration and training to transforming HR practices and product development, virtual reality is set to redefine how we work, learn, and engage with each other. Embracing this technology now will prepare organizations for the future of work, where immersive experiences become the norm, and the workplace becomes a more connected, innovative, and engaging environment.