Three ways companies can leverage VR to innovate during a pandemic

Even before the pandemic, virtual reality was a burgeoning sector. In 2018, a report from ARtillery Intelligence predicted the industry could reach $14.8 billion in revenue by 2023. Another report from the following year echoed this sentiment, forecasting that 23.5 million jobs would leverage VR for training, customer service, and virtual meetings by 2030.

Now that the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in all industries and business areas, these growth predictions feel conservative. Virtual reality, which was considered too futuristic only a few years ago, is now viewed as perfectly suitable for solving pandemic-era problems. It might seem like VR has come a long way, but there are still plenty of opportunities for innovation.

Putting VR to work

Due to social distancing and quarantine restrictions, traveling wasn’t an option for many professionals throughout the pandemic. As a result, many people turned to VR to help them meet others in a safe environment.

For example, Spatial — a company that turns photos into holographic avatars that can collaborate in virtual workspaces — experienced a 1,000% increase in users after lockdowns began in March 2020. Meanwhile, a company called Argodesign invented the Square, a screen that uses multiple cameras to produce 3D images of people.

This brings us to the essential question behind virtual reality: What’s possible? The only limitation to VR is our imaginations. Reorganizing a factory floor or process without disrupting operations is impossible in the real world, for instance, but VEERUM’s platform lets customers visualize changes to spaces in an unaffected environment.

Although the pandemic has altered many aspects of daily life, it has opened up a virtual world of opportunities. Here are three ways companies are strategically using VR:

1. Virtual tourism

The pandemic hit the travel industry hard, but VR presents industry professionals with another option. When it’s not safe or advisable to travel nationally or internally, agents can help people take a virtual honeymoon to Hawaii with 360-degree VR. Digital experiences like this won’t replace the exhilaration of seeing a new place for the first time in person, but they can certainly inspire future visits and introduce travelers to potential destinations. Businesses in other industries can use a similar technique by allowing customers, prospective employees, or even investors to visit their offices and work sites virtually.

2. Immersive training

VR training lets employees learn and make mistakes without endangering others or damaging expensive equipment. In 2019, Boeing (NYSE: BA) used the technology to teach mechanics how to build and maintain its 737 MAX 10 airplane. This helped teams learn what to do and how to do it months before the equipment arrived.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force used VR to create a realistic suicide prevention training program in 2020, enabling participants to train under the pressure of a real-life scenario without putting lives at risk. Other businesses can use this technology similarly to turn their training programs into safe, practical simulations.

3. Virtual experiences

Virtual experiences exploded into the mainstream when musician Travis Scott partnered with Epic Games to perform a virtual concert in “Fortnite.” However, these experiences can be more than just entertainment.

For instance, what if Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) hadn’t livestreamed its 2020 World Tour Syndey event and instead turned it into an online venue? Thousands of professionals could have explored the online space and attended panels virtually. Moving forward, companies should consider what events and conferences they can create for consumers, employees, and partners.

Although the current crisis turned life upside down, it pushed companies to turn to VR for modern solutions. Professionals can expect to see even more businesses adopt VR in 2021 as they explore new spaces, train their employees, and offer something new and exciting for everyone.

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(Featured image by FunkyFocus via Pixabay)

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