The future of meetings: How virtual reality and augmented reality change virtual meetings
Taking part in virtual meetings multiple times a week has become part of almost every office job. New technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality are on the rise. How can they change the way we hold meetings?
Most businesses today make use of applications like Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams to organize meetings. Such virtual meetings have proven themselves to be advantageous and video conferencing is now an established instrument. However, virtual reality and augmented reality technologies can open up new possibilities and transform traditional meetings. Here are five ideas on how you can benefit from trying them:
Get a feeling of presence
Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies can create a feeling of presence in virtual meetings. While in video conferences participants can see each other they do not feel like they are in the same room. virtual reality and augmented reality on the contrary can offer a sense of presence. For example, virtual reality headsets can make participants feel like they really are in the virtual setting: They can see the facial expressions and gestures of the avatars which represent their colleagues.
Eliminate distractions
In many video conferences distractions such as smartphones reduce the productivity of the participants. With virtual reality and augmented reality, those distractions can be eliminated: By being in an immersive virtual space, participants are fully engaged in the environment. Participants focus more on the meeting because they feel like they are in the same room as their colleagues. They are less likely to be tempted to check their phone or be unconcentrated.
Customize environments
Not only do many virtual reality applications offer pre-designed templates of virtual environments which companies can use but they can design their own virtual meeting spaces to fit the culture of the company. Customized environments can be tailored to the needs of the participants to increase creativity and innovation and make them feel comfortable. Companies can replicate real-world settings such as conference rooms or they can even generate futuristic settings.
Add gamification elements
Gamification elements can increase motivation and drive productivity. Virtual reality and augmented reality can offer such elements in meetings by incorporating virtual escape rooms or role-playing activities. This can improve problem-solving skills and team building.
Increase engagement and creativity
Virtual reality headsets are equipped with hand-tracking technology which makes it possible for participants to interact with virtual objects by using their hands. Virtual reality technology often also includes motion controllers which are tracked in the 3D space and enable participants to grab and move virtual objects. Allowing a hands-on experience can make the participants engage more with each other and lead to more creative solutions.
Where you can make the most out of virtual reality and augmented reality in meetings
While virtual reality and augmented reality technologies can provide many benefits in all kinds of meetings, in some types of meetings they can be especially useful:
Sales presentations
Selling a customer a product by talking about it can sometimes be difficult as he may not really have a picture of how the product looks or how it can be useful. How about actually showing it to him and making it possible for him to try it himself? Of course, this does not work for all products but finding a way to make your customer see and engage with your product can increase your chances of selling it.
Co-working
With working from home and from all over the world, many employees rarely get the chance to work together in one space with colleagues. Offering virtual spaces which employees can use to co-work can increase productivity and creativity.
Workshops
Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies make it possible for employees to attend work-shops no matter where they are. But beyond the benefits which video conferencing can already offer, virtual reality and augmented reality workshops are helpful instruments: For example, participants can practice skills and procedures in a safe and controlled environment. For large groups of participants using virtual objects instead of spending money on physical materials and resources can be a very cost-effective alternative.
Summary
As virtual meetings via platforms like Zoom and Teams have become standard in the modern workplace, emerging technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality are set to take these interactions to the next level. This article explores how virtual reality and augmented reality can reshape virtual meetings by offering deeper engagement and more immersive experiences.
Key benefits include:
- Enhanced presence: virtual reality/augmented reality creates a realistic sense of being in the same room, improving non-verbal communication through avatars and gestures.
- Fewer distractions: Immersive environments help participants stay focused and reduce interruptions common in standard video calls.
- Customizable environments: Companies can tailor virtual meeting spaces to reflect their culture, fostering creativity and comfort.
- Gamification: Incorporating interactive elements like escape rooms or role-playing can boost motivation and collaboration.
- Greater engagement and creativity: Hand-tracking and motion controllers allow participants to manipulate virtual objects, encouraging hands-on problem solving.
These technologies are especially valuable in sales presentations, co-working scenarios, and interactive workshops, offering tangible benefits like increased customer engagement, enhanced team collaboration, and cost-efficient training. Overall, virtual reality and augmented reality offer promising solutions to enrich the future of virtual collaboration.
