You don’t need us to tell you how much life has changed since the pandemic. Gone are the days where you’d suffer rush hour to arrive at the office before 9am. Now, for many, it’s a case of strolling into a home office – and not a moment before making a fresh morning brew.

But, of course, a shift in work culture has only been possible through the development of technology. It’s as if COVID-19 created the perfect stage to show people what’s possible with the right software and hardware.

From video calls and remote product development to virtual training and client service demonstrations, corporations were forced to integrate with technology – and, to date, have been all the better for it.

But what’s next for technology and corporations? And how can we continue to bridge the gap between physical and virtual reality? Take a seat because we’re about to share all about the exciting world of extended reality (XR).

What is extended reality?

Otherwise known as XR, extended reality is a concept that blends elements from our physical world with computer-generated components to create a realistic landscape of immersive discovery.

Whether it’s developing a product, creating a bespoke training environment, or chairing a meeting with holograms, the power of XR is rapidly changing our perception of reality – and it’s only just the beginning.

But how is this all possible? At its core, XR is an umbrella term combining the power of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). To better understand how it all works, here’s a rundown on each component.

Virtual reality (VR)

By using specially-created hardware, such as our VISIONxR™ headset, VR allows users to access interactive virtual spaces from anywhere in the world with Wi-Fi.

It’s a technology that replaces physical training, development and meeting areas with fully immersive environments that promote higher levels of engagement, motivation and productivity.

Today, virtual reality has an estimated market size of USD 21.83 billion with a rapidly growing presence expanding across a multitude of diverse industries.

Augmented reality (AR)

Where virtual reality transports users to a completely new environment, AR takes real-life settings and layers an augmented image to change user perception.

Whether it’s enhancing a commercial training exercise or creating a fully-interactive broadcasting set for presenters, AR implements virtual information, objects and data to create a world indistinguishable from perceived reality.

You might first recall its use in 2016 with the introduction of Pokémon GO on smartphones and devices – a first-of-its-kind game that seamlessly merged real-life environments with augmented objects.

Mixed reality (MR)

Still in its early stages of development, MR merges elements from physical and virtual environments to create new visualisations, opportunities and interactions.
Whether it’s interaction with a developing product or a colleague holographic for a seemingly in-person meeting, mixed reality is the answer to instantly combining real-life and digital environments.

Companies such as Microsoft are continually sharing developments with MR, such as enhancing training strategies, offering real-time guidance and changing the way we interact with machinery to name but a few.

Extended reality trends and COVID-19

According to recent data released by Global News Wire, the XR market was valued at USD 25.84 billion in 2020 and is estimated to be worth around USD 397.81 billion by 2026.

Perhaps one of the reasons for its recent surge is the impact of COVID-19, creating an elevated awareness of how dependable businesses had become on a singular, physical environment.

It’s without doubt a pivotal moment in the evolution of XR which has since given way to emerging technological trends, such as increased use of virtual reality in the education, healthcare and engineering industry among many others.

What’s more, as XR continues its integration into our reality, more users can access its high-fidelity environments from any location through 5G streaming from the cloud.

Use cases and application for extended reality

As more and more industries realise the benefits of extended reality, its application has expanded far beyond the parameters of immersive gaming and entertainment.

Perhaps one its most universal integrations is in training and development programs, offering employees a risk-free, fully immersive and interactive environment to develop skills and knowledge through a headset.

Devoid of real-world risk, it’s an alternative to in-situ training that, according to LinkedIn’s 2021 Workplace Learning Report, has seen 79% of learning professionals shift budgets from instructor-led training to online training.

Such training topics to use extended reality for delivery might include onboarding new recruits, diversity and inclusion training, sales training, technical training or, perhaps, leadership training.

The possibilities for its application are endless and as its technology continues to develop, we’ve seen the application of extended reality in healthcare, extended reality in manufacturing and many other industries, including:

Gaming

Possibly the most obvious use of extended reality is the gaming industry which, since the introduction of Pokémon Go in 2016, has created a multitude of immersive games to level-up user interaction.

Vehicle design and development

By using extended reality for product design, developers can collaborate in a virtual environment to test and modify 3D products before they physically exist.
Not only does it accelerate the development process, but it also limits the possibility of costly product defects arising post-production. A win-win for any corporation.

Surgical preparation and healthcare plans

Extended reality has also made strides within healthcare allowing patients to virtually experience surgical plans and procedures prior to
their operation. Not only does it educate patients on necessary action but it also instils peace of mind ahead of any minor or major operation.
The same technology has also been applied to psychotherapy patients who are encouraged to develop movement and strength in a contextualised immersive environment.

Examples of businesses using extended reality today

Although XR is a relatively new concept for some corporations, some businesses have already made significant progress with its integration. Here are a few examples of global businesses that use extended reality:

Koninklijke Philips N.V

In 2019, health technology company, Philips, joined forces with Microsoft to create Azurion image-guided therapy platform and Microsoft HoloLens 2 MR computing platform. At its core, it’s a mixed reality concept that creates user augmentation for image-guided minimally invasive therapies.

Apple Inc

As the largest tech company in the world, it’s no surprise American giants, Apple, have already made strides in the world of extended reality.
As well as owning the largest AR platform in the world, they’ve also released a mixed reality headset equipped with dozens of cameras, dual 8K resolution displays and advanced eye-tracking to make extended reality even more accessible. Watch this space.

Intel

World-leading semiconductor manufacturer, Intel, are already a household name for virtual and augmented reality technologies. As well as their Intel Core i7 processor – which delivers next-level game physics, controls and 3D visuals – their newer eighth generation processors are now able to deliver mixed reality experiences for users.

The future of extended reality

Reality is changing. And as immersive technology continues to develop, our perception of the physical and virtual world is becoming almost indistinguishable.
From advanced gaming and product design through to immersive training and virtual demonstrations, extended reality is quickly changing how we live, work and play.

What’s next for XR? We’ll have to wait and see. But for now, it’s safe to say its technology that in one shape or another will have a positive impact on all our lives. Something we’re excited to be part of.

If you’d like to learn more about extended reality (XR) or want to demo how our technology can help your business, feel free to get in touch today.

You don’t need us to tell you how much life has changed since the pandemic. Gone are the days where you’d suffer rush hour to arrive at the office before 9am. Now, for many, it’s a case of strolling into a home office – and not a moment before making a fresh morning brew.

But, of course, a shift in work culture has only been possible through the development of technology. It’s as if COVID-19 created the perfect stage to show people what’s possible with the right software and hardware.

From video calls and remote product development to virtual training and client service demonstrations, corporations were forced to integrate with technology – and, to date, have been all the better for it.

But what’s next for technology and corporations? And how can we continue to bridge the gap between physical and virtual reality? Take a seat because we’re about to share all about the exciting world of extended reality (XR).

What is extended reality?

Otherwise known as XR, extended reality is a concept that blends elements from our physical world with computer-generated components to create a realistic landscape of immersive discovery.

Whether it’s developing a product, creating a bespoke training environment, or chairing a meeting with holograms, the power of XR is rapidly changing our perception of reality – and it’s only just the beginning.

But how is this all possible? At its core, XR is an umbrella term combining the power of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). To better understand how it all works, here’s a rundown on each component.

Virtual reality (VR)

By using specially-created hardware, such as our VISIONxR™ headset, VR allows users to access interactive virtual spaces from anywhere in the world with Wi-Fi.

It’s a technology that replaces physical training, development and meeting areas with fully immersive environments that promote higher levels of engagement, motivation and productivity.

Today, virtual reality has an estimated market size of USD 21.83 billion with a rapidly growing presence expanding across a multitude of diverse industries.

Augmented reality (AR)

Where virtual reality transports users to a completely new environment, AR takes real-life settings and layers an augmented image to change user perception.

Whether it’s enhancing a commercial training exercise or creating a fully-interactive broadcasting set for presenters, AR implements virtual information, objects and data to create a world indistinguishable from perceived reality.

You might first recall its use in 2016 with the introduction of Pokémon GO on smartphones and devices – a first-of-its-kind game that seamlessly merged real-life environments with augmented objects.

Mixed reality (MR)

Still in its early stages of development, MR merges elements from physical and virtual environments to create new visualisations, opportunities and interactions.
Whether it’s interaction with a developing product or a colleague holographic for a seemingly in-person meeting, mixed reality is the answer to instantly combining real-life and digital environments.

Companies such as Microsoft are continually sharing developments with MR, such as enhancing training strategies, offering real-time guidance and changing the way we interact with machinery to name but a few.

Extended reality trends and COVID-19

According to recent data released by Global News Wire, the XR market was valued at USD 25.84 billion in 2020 and is estimated to be worth around USD 397.81 billion by 2026.

Perhaps one of the reasons for its recent surge is the impact of COVID-19, creating an elevated awareness of how dependable businesses had become on a singular, physical environment.

It’s without doubt a pivotal moment in the evolution of XR which has since given way to emerging technological trends, such as increased use of virtual reality in the education, healthcare and engineering industry among many others.

What’s more, as XR continues its integration into our reality, more users can access its high-fidelity environments from any location through 5G streaming from the cloud.

Use cases and application for extended reality

As more and more industries realise the benefits of extended reality, its application has expanded far beyond the parameters of immersive gaming and entertainment.

Perhaps one its most universal integrations is in training and development programs, offering employees a risk-free, fully immersive and interactive environment to develop skills and knowledge through a headset.

Devoid of real-world risk, it’s an alternative to in-situ training that, according to LinkedIn’s 2021 Workplace Learning Report, has seen 79% of learning professionals shift budgets from instructor-led training to online training.

Such training topics to use extended reality for delivery might include onboarding new recruits, diversity and inclusion training, sales training, technical training or, perhaps, leadership training.

The possibilities for its application are endless and as its technology continues to develop, we’ve seen the application of extended reality in healthcare, extended reality in manufacturing and many other industries, including:

Gaming

Possibly the most obvious use of extended reality is the gaming industry which, since the introduction of Pokémon Go in 2016, has created a multitude of immersive games to level-up user interaction.

Vehicle design and development

By using extended reality for product design, developers can collaborate in a virtual environment to test and modify 3D products before they physically exist.
Not only does it accelerate the development process, but it also limits the possibility of costly product defects arising post-production. A win-win for any corporation.

Surgical preparation and healthcare plans

Extended reality has also made strides within healthcare allowing patients to virtually experience surgical plans and procedures prior to
their operation. Not only does it educate patients on necessary action but it also instils peace of mind ahead of any minor or major operation.
The same technology has also been applied to psychotherapy patients who are encouraged to develop movement and strength in a contextualised immersive environment.

Examples of businesses using extended reality today

Although XR is a relatively new concept for some corporations, some businesses have already made significant progress with its integration. Here are a few examples of global businesses that use extended reality:

Koninklijke Philips N.V

In 2019, health technology company, Philips, joined forces with Microsoft to create Azurion image-guided therapy platform and Microsoft HoloLens 2 MR computing platform. At its core, it’s a mixed reality concept that creates user augmentation for image-guided minimally invasive therapies.

Apple Inc

As the largest tech company in the world, it’s no surprise American giants, Apple, have already made strides in the world of extended reality.
As well as owning the largest AR platform in the world, they’ve also released a mixed reality headset equipped with dozens of cameras, dual 8K resolution displays and advanced eye-tracking to make extended reality even more accessible. Watch this space.

Intel

World-leading semiconductor manufacturer, Intel, are already a household name for virtual and augmented reality technologies. As well as their Intel Core i7 processor – which delivers next-level game physics, controls and 3D visuals – their newer eighth generation processors are now able to deliver mixed reality experiences for users.

The future of extended reality

Reality is changing. And as immersive technology continues to develop, our perception of the physical and virtual world is becoming almost indistinguishable.
From advanced gaming and product design through to immersive training and virtual demonstrations, extended reality is quickly changing how we live, work and play.

What’s next for XR? We’ll have to wait and see. But for now, it’s safe to say its technology that in one shape or another will have a positive impact on all our lives. Something we’re excited to be part of.

If you’d like to learn more about extended reality (XR) or want to demo how our technology can help your business, feel free to get in touch today.

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