Will our future workplaces be entirely digital? The world of work is undergoing major upheavals, particularly since the crisis in the covid and the acceleration in the development of new technologies. Hybrid working has accentuated these upheavals, and telecommuting is now universally accepted as a way of improving working conditions and employee efficiency. But what if virtual reality were to add a new level of well-being to workers’ performance?
Virtual reality, also known as VR, refers to the idea that a person is moved through a computer-generated space. The underlying idea of VR is to isolate us from the “real” world so that we experience the virtual world as if it were real. As for augmented reality, also known as AR. This technology makes it possible to supplement the real world with computer-generated content. A well-known example of this phenomenon is holograms. The main difference between virtual and augmented reality lies in the way they interact with our environment. While VR immerses us in an entirely digital universe, AR enriches our real world by integrating virtual elements. Both technologies offer immersive experiences, but they differ in their approach and potential applications.
The worker of the future will undoubtedly be equipped with a headset, whatever his or her profession because virtual or augmented reality is well on the way to becoming an essential professional tool that will profoundly transform the majority of business sectors. Many organizations are using this technology to train their employees and simulate real-world situations. Several companies have already experimented with this. For example, Orange has set up a training course on public speaking using a virtual reality headset.
Bouygues Construction, meanwhile, has used virtual reality to make its workers aware of the dangers of construction sites. Fully immersed in a realistic environment, employees have a better grasp of the issues at stake, which has a positive impact on their motivation, performance, and results. According to IDC (International Data Corporation), around 20% of virtual reality headsets sold on the market today are for work and business use, a figure that could rise to 45% by next year
Virtual reality also plays a crucial role in the architecture and construction sector. Multinational Laing O’Rourke, for example, uses it to enable its clients and architects to visualize planned structures, to better understand the organization of spaces, and to detect any design problems before work begins. To do this, it uses virtual reality headsets and the Unity game engine to create platforms dedicated to its virtual reality applications.
Another important point discussed is how virtual reality headsets can enhance safety in the workplace. Indeed, a key question is how to organize workplace risk prevention so that it is as effective as possible? Immersive learning seems to be the most appropriate answer to this problem! Immersive learning amplifies sensory stimuli (such as sight, hearing, vestibular sense, proprioception, and sometimes even touch) as well as emotions (such as feelings of safety or playfulness). These different stimuli influence the brain and its ability to absorb information. Immersive learning thus offers the possibility of training teams in complete safety, preparing them optimally for exceptional or dangerous situations. What’s more, in terms of workplace safety, such training does not affect the company’s normal operations and does not require the use of production infrastructures, for example.
It’s clear, then, that the use of virtual reality headsets in the world of work is a considerable asset for everyone. All that remains now is for companies to continue improving their use so that it can be used by everyone on a daily, rather than occasional, basis!
Sources :
https://www.lemondeinformatique.fr/publi_info/lire-comment-les-stations-de-travail-integrant-la-realite-virtuelle-facilitent-la-formation-et-la-collaboration-343.html
https://solutions.lesechos.fr/tech/c/la-realite-virtuelle-au-service-des-salaries-32124/
A propos de Émeline Cirou
En formation en Master 2, Droit de l'Économie Numérique à l'Université de Strasbourg
