Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are technologies we have been widely introduced to over the previous years. While the VR software enables users to be immersed a fully artificial environment, AR allows us to experience digital overlays with physical surroundings. However, more unknown is the technology that merges the two allowing us to easily transfer from the real and digital world. Immersive technologies allow digital objects to co-exist and interact in real-time and therefore mixes virtual and real worlds making it a hybrid version called mixed reality (Holzman, 2021).
Up until now the largest market benefiting from VR and AR has been the entertainment industry. Also mixed reality has transformed the gaming and entertainment sector, which can be seen from popular cases such as Snapchat or Pokemon Go due to high levels of involvement (McKinley, 2020). In addition, retail has widely adopted these technologies enabling virtual try-ons, gamification and engaging product information.
However, the future of mixed reality is taking it a step further. Today mixed reality is commonly used in the form of wearable holographic headsets and devices such as Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 . These type of devices allow you to see the real world through glasses and place virtual objects or people while performing a task. This has the major advantage of being adaptable to specific environments creating a life-like experience. Therefore, mixed reality can be used for a wide range of applications serving different industries. For example, Renault employees are using MR to be guided with decision support instructions virtually while performing highly complex tasks on control operations (Calderon, 2021). The same benefits held for health workers that can be taught remotely by experts. For example, directions and functions of a ‘’learning heart’’can be viewed by medical students based on a hologram even allowing voice and touch commands (Calderon, 2021). From this we can conclude that there are a lot of opportunities for mixed reality in business as well as education.
Moreover, it is not a coincidence that this mixed reality buzz is happening right now. Covid 19 has accelerated many digital transformations and forced companies to move to a hybrid workplace. Mixed reality could also contribute in this transition by enabling virtual conference rooms and interacting with virtual whiteboards. Moreover, it would enhance certain online onboarding procedures. How the impact of these technologies on business will evolve is largely unknown, but the adoptions seem endless.
References:
Calderon, D. (2021). The Future of Virtual Reality in Business – US Digital Partners. Retrieved 4 October 2021, from https://www.usdigitalpartners.com/future-virtual-reality-business/
Holzman, S. (2021). Microsoft Explores the ‘Future of Mixed Reality’ at IT Conference. Retrieved 4 October 2021, from https://www.nexthink.com/blog/microsoft-explores-the-future-of-mixed-reality-at-upcoming-it-conference/
McKinley, N. (2021). Is Mixed Reality the Future of Technology?. Retrieved 4 October 2021, from https://chatbotsjournal.com/is-mixed-reality-the-future-of-technology-2c4e27495cad
