Drivers Of Rapid Development Of The XR In Business
Drivers of Rapid Development of the XR in Business

In 2021, the level of the use of extended reality grew up to 76% in gaming, 60% in movies and TV, 34% in retail, and 30% in tourism. Also, according to Markets and Markets, in the same year, the augmented reality market was estimated at 22,5 USD billion, and in 2026, the AR market will increase to 88,4 USD billion. Meanwhile, the virtual reality market was estimated at 6,1 USD billion in 2020 and is predicted to hit 20,9 USD billion in 2025. 

The main trends that stimulate the development of the extended reality market are AR/VR startups’ financing by investors, and the growing number of fields where XR can be applied (healthcare, retail, education, architecture, design, etc). The obstacles caused by COVID-19 pandemic and companies’ need to save money for providing their services are also considered the drivers of the rapid development of XR technologies. 

More detailed information about extended reality in different business fields can be found here

COVID-19 As An Engine To Push XR Forward

Since COVID-19 started, many people were locked at their homes, away from workplaces. And business trips to other cities and countries became impossible during the lockdowns. However, people’s isolation from the outer world gave companies a possibility to implement innovative technologies, like augmented, mixed, and virtual reality, to provide remote work, online purchasing, VR conferences, etc. 

In 2020, according to McKinsey & Company, the number of companies that adapted digital technologies increased to 58%, compared to 20% in 2017. Coronavirus pandemic made company executives implement digital technologies faster, because the digitalization of companies had not been their top priority before the pandemic.

During COVID-19, 93% of respondents implemented remote work. Other 62% of executives said they felt the increasing of customers’ demand for online purchasing. And other 21% of respondents said they started using more innovative technologies when taking important business decisions. 

Vive Sync by HTC, a virtual network for business, is the bright example of transferring workers from the physical office to VR. This network was presented in April  2020 and was free for enterprises during the same year. 

“As a social productivity device, Vive Sync is said to include support for OneDrive, which includes the ability to show PowerPoints, PDFs, marketing videos, or 3D models. In place of traditional note-taking, users will be able to use voice recognition to record notes, annotate with a 3D pen, and take screenshots. As for 3D assets, Vive Sync currently supports FBX and OBJ files, as well as Unity Asset Bundles,” says the official message. 

Increasing Investment On IT Startups

Another driver of extended reality development is the Increasing financing of ІТ startups and companies that specialize on XR. According to Crunchbase News, in 2021, the global number of investment in virtual and augmented reality startups was estimated at 3,9 USD billions, and 320 deals were concluded in the field. And, as Statista predicts, in 2024, 28,5 USD billion will be invested in the XR development. 

xr develpments

XR Equipment And Software Become More Available

One more reason why XR is getting popular in business is the accessibility of devices and software. In 2021, the number of sold extended reality devices exceeded 10 million pieces for the first time. It’s 60% more than in 2020. And, in 2025, the volume of sales is predicted to reach 48 million pieces

Speaking about software, the Unity engine, that provides 60% of VR experiences, is another factor of the growing popularity of XR in business. This engine can be applied for designing different platforms and apps with high-quality 3D graphics that are good both for newcomers and professional users. 

In its turn, Unreal Engine helps to recreate high-detailed and photorealistic graphics. This year, Epic Games presented the most up-to-date version of the engine 5.1, that allows creating 3D content of the next gen in real time easier and more effective. 

Besides the instant creation of high-quality 3D models, there’s a significant improvement in video recording and recreating. In 2014, 4К resolution was presented for modern TVs and cinemas. And now there is an experimental 16K in the testing stage, and this resolution is supposed to be used for virtual reality. 

One of the most recent examples of high-resolution video content in virtual reality is sir David Attenborough’s VR series Conquest of the Skies for Meta Quest. All the three episodes of popular science series tell the story about the evolution of flying creatures, starting from the period that took place 300 million years ago. The series creators said they applied the most recent 3D technologies to provide high-quality picture and enhance the immersion effect.

“The story of flight spans millions of years. And, so, this was an opportunity to combine extremely high quality 3D footage of animals, that we can shoot today, with a CG pipeline that would let us imagine what it might have been like for dinosaurs of million years ago,” said Eric Chang, executive producer from Meta Quest. 

Save Your Business Money With XR

Here is one more driver of extended reality progress, and it’s the necessity to reduce company’s expenses. The first way to save money is cutting down the number of production accidents that cause serious financial damage to company. Various complaints and mistakes cost businesses more than 200 USD million per year

Extended reality training is one of the solutions to the problem. According to Holopundits, manufacture workers finish their training in VR 75% faster than those using traditional ways of training. And, respectively, companies with virtual reality training save 30 dollars per one working hour.

         

We hope you understood why popularity of XR is constantly growing. COVID-19 pandemic, that made usual office work more difficult, became an engine that helped XR get implemented in different businesses. Particularly, companies started applying  VR offices for remote workers, virtual shops, etc. The rapid development of extended reality equipment and software also became the driver that moves XR forward. And, using virtual and augmented reality in work helps companies save money and increase their workers’ efficiency. 

 

Related Articles

November 28, 2023
Enhancing Dental Education: The Role of Haptic Feedback in Preclinical Training

Dental education is a demanding discipline, requiring students to develop precise manual dexterity, particularly in preclinical restorative dentistry. In the past, students have been trained using conventional phantom heads or mannequins, offering a simulated but less tactile experience for practising procedures. However recent advancements in haptic feedback technology have transformed preclinical dental education, providing a more immersive and tactile training experience! The Importance of Haptic Feedback in Dental Education In dental education, the development of psychomotor skills is paramount. Dental students must hone their manual dexterity to perform procedures with precision and efficiency. Traditionally, students have trained on phantom heads, but these models lack the realistic tactile sensations experienced during real clinical procedures. Furthermore, the use of plastic teeth in these training models not only fails to replicate the natural variability of real teeth but also raises environmental concerns due to plastic waste. Obtaining natural human teeth for training purposes is also challenging due to ethical constraints. Haptic feedback technology has emerged as a game-changer in dental education. Haptic devices, such as Simodont, provide realistic tactile force feedback, allowing students to practice procedures on virtual patients. This technology offers several advantages: Realistic Sensations: Haptic technology simulates the resistance and pressure experienced in real clinical settings, enhancing students’ motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. Safe and Controlled Environment: Haptic-based training allows students to practice dental operations indefinitely in a safe and controlled environment without the risk of harming a living patient. Personalized Feedback: The technology can provide personalized feedback to students, helping them identify areas where they may be applying too much or too little pressure and deviations from the proper trajectory. Limitations of Conventional Phantom Head Training Despite the advantages of traditional phantom head training, it has several limitations: Lack of Realistic Tactile Sensations: Phantom heads do not provide the tactile feedback experienced in real clinical settings, which can hinder students’ skill development. Environmental Concerns: The use of plastic teeth in phantom heads leads to plastic waste, contributing to environmental issues. Limited Reproducibility: Real patient procedures are not repeatable for practice, limiting students’ exposure to various clinical scenarios. Read also: Empowering Doctors And Patients: How Augmented Reality Transforms Healthcare How VR and AR Address These Limitations Haptic feedback devices, when integrated with VR and AR technologies, offer solutions to the limitations of traditional training methods: Realistic Tactile Sensations: VR and AR technologies create immersive virtual environments that replicate real clinical scenarios, enhancing the realism of training. Personalized Learning: These technologies allow for personalized feedback and performance evaluation, enabling students to identify and correct errors in real-time. Unlimited Reproducibility: VR and AR enable students to practice procedures repeatedly in diverse and realistic scenarios, ultimately improving their clinical competence. The integration of haptic feedback technology in dental education, especially when combined with VR and AR, has revolutionized preclinical training for dental students. It addresses the limitations of traditional training methods by providing realistic tactile sensations, personalized learning, and unlimited reproducibility!

October 18, 2023
Beyond the Screen: Integrating WEART Haptic Devices for a Multi-Sensory Enterprise Experience

Navigating the intricate maze of technological progress and human engagement reveals a constantly shifting terrain. Haptic devices stand out as the vanguard in this revolution, and WEART is undoubtedly leading the charge. In this expanded discourse, we at Qualium Systems, specialists in custom IT engineering, explore the engineering marvels and the expansive business applications of WEART’s pioneering haptic technology. The Technical Ecosystem: A Deeper Dive Hardware Innovation: More than Just Touch WEART’s devices go beyond mere simulation to recreate tactile sensations intricately. The wearables make use of cutting-edge actuators and sensors to offer a wide spectrum of tactile experiences, from the velvety softness of a petal to the ruggedness of a rock. 1. Actuators: Employing both mechanical and electronic components, actuators deliver precise tactile feedback. They play a crucial role in mimicking various textures, thermal cues and forces, pushing the boundaries of what users can ‘feel’ digitally. 2. Sensors: These aren’t your everyday touch sensors. WEART’s sensors can detect minute changes in pressure and movement, making the haptic interface responsive and incredibly realistic. Software Engineering: Facilitating Haptic Integration Qualium Systems takes pride in offering SDKs compatible with both Unity and Unreal Engine, making the integration of WEART’s groundbreaking haptic features easier than ever. 1. Unity & Unreal Engine SDKs: These engines are favored by developers for their ease of use and flexibility. Our SDKs are tailored for these platforms, offering rapid prototyping and high-fidelity rendering capabilities. 2. Custom APIs: Our SDKs come with a range of APIs that allow you to fine-tune the haptic experience to align with specific use-cases or requirements. 3. Data Analytics: The SDKs also include telemetry functions that capture key metrics. Businesses can assess user engagement in real-time, modifying experiences for better interaction. Expanded Case Study: The Transformational Power of Haptic Technology in VR Chemistry Lessons A Paradigm Shift in Science Education Our VR Chemistry Lessons App is a landmark example of how WEART’s haptic technology can revolutionize education. Typically, the teaching of chemistry has relied heavily on theoretical knowledge, supplemented occasionally by lab experiments. The WEART-enabled VR Chemistry App changes this equation dramatically. 1. Molecular Vibration: For the first time, students can tangibly feel the vibrations and movements of molecules, providing an entirely new dimension to understanding kinetic energy. 2. Chemical Reactions: Imagine the educational impact of feeling the heat dissipate in an exothermic reaction or the sudden cold in an endothermic process. It’s not just theory; it’s practically hands-on learning. 3. Substance Interaction: Different elements and compounds come with unique textures and properties. Our app lets students ‘touch’ these materials virtually, further enriching their understanding. The Birth of Dynamic Learning Environments The integration of WEART’s technology moves education from a unidimensional, rote-learning model to a multi-sensory, experience-driven paradigm. This shift is monumental in helping students better retain and apply complex scientific concepts. Business Implications: Why This Matters to You Economic Efficiency: Beyond Cost Savings Integrating WEART’s haptic devices significantly reduces the overheads associated with conventional training methods. Virtual reality setups eliminate the need for physical resources and spaces, making training efficient and cost-effective. Customer Experience: A New Frontier Introducing a tactile component to your services enhances the overall user experience. Whether it’s a virtual showroom or an online educational platform, the added layer of tactile interaction can make your services unforgettable. Competitive Strategy: The First-Mover Advantage In a market that is continually evolving, early adoption of new technologies like WEART’s haptic devices can give you a significant edge. It’s not just a matter of staying current; it’s about leading the charge in the new age of digital interaction. Final Remarks: The Road Ahead The amalgamation of WEART’s groundbreaking haptic technology with Qualium Systems’ expertise in software development is a game-changer. Whether you’re an innovator in the technical sphere or a forward-thinking business owner, the era of multi-sensory computing has arrived. The scope of what this technology can achieve is only limited by our imagination. At Qualium Systems, we’re excited to be your partners in this exhilarating journey into the future.

August 18, 2023
Elevating Hospitality: Evolution of VR in Hotels

Today, modern technologies provide incredible opportunities in numerous areas, including the hotel business. This technology creates a deep connection between the guest and the hotel, overturning the usual idea of hospitality. Virtual reality allows you to surprise guests with immersive unique experiences that are not only exciting but also facilitate the activities of the establishments themselves. In this article, we’ll look at how virtual reality revolutionizes the hospitality industry and helps to deliver unparalleled guest experiences. Exploring Diverse Dimensions of VR in Hospitality There are several main areas where virtual reality is most often used in the hotel industry, including virtual tours, staff training, and VR entertainment.  Enhancing Guest Experiences through VR VR hotel tours are one of the most popular directions where virtual reality is typically when dealing with  hospitality. Before checking in, guests can take a trial visit to the property in VR to assess the hotel environment. This technique will help to better understand where exactly they want to stay, in which room, and whether this hotel meets the requirements. “One of the reasons why VR marketing has taken on a viral tone, arises from the fact, that guests will be provided with a hands-on point of view when making an important booking decision. Using such technology clearly illustrates that the property in question is keeping abreast of the latest digital trends. Today, VR tours can be easily placed on an online platform, through the rise of cost-effective software packages,” according to Keystone Hospitality Property Development. For example, the Atlantis Dubai Virtual Tour shows future customers what the hotel looks like, starting with the exterior and ending with the appearance of the hotel rooms. The experience was filmed in the 360o format. Thriving Frontier of VR Entertainment in Hotels Once your guests have checked into their hotel rooms, they should receive high-quality entertainment offered by the hotel chain itself. These can be virtual reality rooms for guests to spend their free time. For example, the Polish spa resort Czarny Potok also has a virtual reality room where visitors can play various games in VR headsets. In addition, virtual reality can be used as a preview of real entertainment available. Before your guest tries, for example, sightseeing, they can get a preview of a tourist destination they could go to. Consider a VR tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Read also: Virtual Tours of National Parks. Discovering Nature’s Beauty through AR and VR Navigating Future of Hotel Reservations through VR Another area of virtual reality that is developing in the hotel industry is VR booking. Similar to virtual sightseeing, a user can see the chosen vacation spot for themselves, though the range of possibilities of VR booking is wider.  So, a VR headset user sees a digital globe of the Earth in front of them and decides on the point where they want to go. Next, they interact with a 3D model of the plane, which clearly shows the seats that can be reserved. Moreover, there is an opportunity to rent a car and choose the price of this rental. With virtual booking, users can select a payment method by scanning and adding a digital credit card. Virtual booking from Amadeus IT Group provides such options to users with VR glasses. VR’s Role in Transforming Hotel Staff Training In the hotel industry, virtual reality is used not only to serve customers but also to improve customer service. Virtual reality training, which fully reproduces the real work environment in digital reality, is an effective tool to improve the efficiency of hotel staff. For example, the Best Western Hotels chain recorded a 71% decrease in the number of customer complaints after the introduction of VR training. Virtual training is already used by the famous Hilton network. In this training, employees use VR headsets to immerse themselves in the digital space that reproduces the hotel.There, they perform various tasks typical for the hotel staff: cleaning the room, preparing a cart with lunch, and checking in guests.    The integration of virtual reality marks a revolutionary step towards improving the guest experience and redefining the hospitality industry. With the introduction of virtual reality in hotels, guests are no longer limited by physical boundaries. Virtual tours of hotels and attractions allow them to go on exciting journeys and explore these places without leaving their homes. Once a decision is made, users can completely organize their own trip through VR booking in a gamified form. Virtual reality in the hospitality industry has also paved the way for more comfortable and faster service with the help of VR training for hotel staff. The combination of technology and hospitality has created a new dimension of travel planning where potential guests can virtually walk through hotel rooms, imagine their stay, and make informed decisions. Image: Freepik



Let's discuss your ideas

Contact us