The term Extended Reality (XR) encompasses augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and everything in between.
Extended reality is dramatically transforming various industrial segments and is being endorsed in areas such as health care, education, business, manufacturing, etc. Immersive technology is no longer just about virtual reality headsets for gaming.
Now XR can be used to set up real-time meetings with colleagues as one steps into the virtual boardroom or simulate military operations trainings.
Mixed reality embraces spatial computing, which refers to technology that can interact with the environment. After creating a 3D image of a real life object, this digital content can be placed in real life spaces. You can use a mixed reality app to see how a sofa will fit in your living room.
The process of training employees can be both costly and time consuming. This is where using extended reality pays.
Furthermore with XR, tasks can be worked on by employees in a safe and comfortable environment. This is extremely valuable where the real job involves real life risks such as with technicians who work on gas turbines.
Studies show that employees trained using XR learn faster and retain more information than those who were trained using videos or manuals. This enhances competence and enables organisations have adept employees that bring out the best in their brand.
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Disadvantages of Extended Reality
While extended reality is incredibly beneficial, it also faces various challenges. Hardware such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets and mixed reality devices used to create the digital experience are very expensive.
This means there is limited access to it. XR apps are also susceptible to cyber-attacks and when hacked, the hacker gets unauthorised access to sensitive data.
Examples of Some Sectors Using XR
1. Health Care
In healthcare, extended reality enhances robotic surgery by making surgical procedures minimally invasive and ensuring precision.
During surgery, XR helps surgeons visualise important information in real time. If a physical object such as the head of a patient is displayed in 3D, the particular area which needs to be operated on can be precisely located by the surgeon following the information displayed which acts as a guide.
2. Education
Extended reality enhances learning experience. Students being taught about cultural landmarks and historical sites can wear smart glasses or virtual reality headsets that will imitate lifelike landscapes making them feel like they have visited the places they are being taught about. This further engraves the topic in their memory.
Extended reality has transformed education by immersing students in the subject matter being taught. Virtual environments give a form of firsthand experience.
This ensures that more students understand what is being studied or taught. Traditional learning methods that rely on textbooks or lectures do not encourage knowledge retention like extended reality apps can.
3. Business
Extended reality has made it possible for businesses to connect with their clients all over the world.
By getting into the digital environment through XR apps, clients come in contact with the products and services they desire without being there physically.
Augmented reality technology on their smart phone also enables them to have a preview of how an item would look on them further pushing them along the path to making a purchase.
This helps to generate quicker revenue for business owners. It also reduces the need for advertising thereby decreasing expenses.
4. Manufacturing
Using extended reality to develop prototypes makes for better designs. Extended reality makes it easy for designers to access the detailed instruction to be used in product design. This ensures that the quality of the actual goods to be produced remains constant.
Manufacturing firms also use AR and VR technology to simulate the various manufacturing processes and enable visualisation of equipment used to manufacture.
This enables employees have a feel of what it would be like to work with the real equipment and increases their efficiency.
Final Thoughts
The full impact of extended reality is yet to be felt. They are not merely for entertainment but are transformative forces that improve lives and can revolutionise the norms of the real world.
Read also: The Importance Of VR And AR Ethics: Considering Sociocultural Implications
