Working from home is an ideal solution for many workers, and believe it or not, businesses can also benefit by running a remote workforce by saving costs on office rentals, equipment and more. The tide is turning with more employees working from home across industries, but it may increase further when virtual reality is widely available. So, what exactly is VR, and how could it be the answer to remote working?
What Is VR and Who Can Benefit?
Virtual reality is when experiences are simulated. They may be used to look and feel like unknown or imaginary worlds, but they can also be simulated to recreate the real world. To make this happen, exciting and sophisticated technologies are developed.
Moreover, those wanting to enter a virtual reality will need to wear some form of headset that allows them to immerse themselves into virtual reality using their visionary sensors. It should not be confused with augmented reality where we look at our current world with adaptation, the Pokémon Go craze being an excellent example. In augmented reality, we use technology to change our world, whereas virtual reality uses technology to simulate another one.
The number of beneficiaries of virtual reality is uncountable. There has been a discussion of how virtual reality could enhance gaming, especially the development of virtual reality casinos. Other areas that could reap VR rewards include marketing by bringing products to consumers in an unbeatable way where they can view products as if they were standing in a store with them, as well as sports fans who fail to get tickets to big events. They could take up virtual seats in stadiums to soak up the atmosphere. The possibilities seem limitless.
Yet, there is also an argument that VR could improve remote working experiences.
How VR Could Enhance Remote Working?
Remote work is growing with many of us choosing to ditch the rat race to begin our own adventures. Not to forget that many younger professionals are seeking workplaces that allow remote or flexible working to help them balance the business demands of modern life.
The good news for remote workers is that several technologies are available to help remote teams work effectively. Form project management tools to video conferencing applications, staying connected remains effortless with a high-speed internet connection. But many arguments are suggesting virtual reality would be the best technology for remote working. Reasons include:
- Recreates an office environment better than before
- Allows workers to read body language as well as faces
- Improve the mental health of remote workers who may suffer loneliness or isolating effects
- It also aids the practical aspects of meetings by showing who is leading the discussion, which is not always possible on a Zoom call, per se
Overall, virtual reality could make remote not feel like remote working at all, but with all the benefits of working from home. From the comfort of home, employees can be grouped in almost the exact same way as they would if they had fought for a seat on the train and came into the office. The benefits are for both the business and the individual employees.
When Will VR Be Perfected?
There is no hiding from the prospects and capabilities of VR. However, talk of VR transforming our world as we know it has been going on for some time with some people starting to think it will never happen.
There are some concerns over how to make the technology what we all imagine – or what we have seen in a Black Mirror episode – and unfortunately making that a reality, pardon the pun, requires lots of time and resources. Some virtual reality products and services are already emerging, but the pinnacle of this technology may be years away.
Nevertheless, when and if VR does become the cornerstone technology we all imagine, one of its many trailblazing applications could be in remote working, serving business in an array of industries.
