Working in Virtual Reality

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The abrupt emergence of Covid19 in 2020 stimulated numerous changes within the organizations, the most crucial of which was the working mode. The restrictions of the lockdown, implemented by the governments, forced companies to switch to online operating and exactly that initiated an immense development of video-conference platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Nowadays, although coronavirus has almost evaporated and mostly all companies have returned to their offices, many organizations still continue to use video conference platforms for additional meetings, since they understood how convenient it is. But have you ever considered the possibility that there would not be any aim to meet in person at all? Have you ever thought that companies will be able to gather at meetings and feel the presence of each other sitting at home? 

On 12th October Zoom and Microsoft Teams announced their future partnership with Meta that will bring them to Virtual Reality workspaces. To go into more detail, in August 2021 Facebook launched the open beta of Horizon workrooms – an app, which offers a fully equipped virtual meeting space for organizations. The only thing that workers need apart from this application to delve into the world of virtual meetings is a special VR headset called Oculus Quest 2. For me, it was interesting how Meta came up with this idea. The answer was that with the implemented changes due to the coronavirus, companies were doomed to completely switch to the online mode. Disregarding the fact that video conference platforms were providing their users with a perfect possibility to stay connected, when it came to having work done, things got more complicated. Large organizations could not organize their meetings effectively, since they were facing the problems such as lack of concentration, absence of direct eye contact or possibility to feel one’s emotions, and even inability to differentiate between voices when a lot of people were talking as the sound was coming from a single source. Horizon Workrooms, on the contrary, is regarded by Meta to be the best way for organizations to adopt remote working mode. While being at home, workers could gather in virtual reality in the roles of avatars, that could properly execute their emotions and reactions thus imitating all the dynamics of group discussions without requiring participants to be present at the real office. The app creates a customized virtual workspace equipped with whiteboards and computers thus providing workers with the possibility to perform a lot of things in the VR mode such as transferring their working place, presenting something on the whiteboard, showing their emotions and stating their opinion, transmitting files from their desktop so that it will be visible for everyone and many more.

So, now the question is whether the collaboration of Meta with Zoom and Teams, which are the most ubiquitous and advanced remote work platforms so far, will bring about the positive development of our society as a working organism. There is a strong potential to transfer the offices of numerous companies to VR workspaces, but is it really worth it? 

Till that time Zoom and Teams were perceived as a great possibility to organize a meeting in case of any emergencies. Of course, some companies switched to online operating completely after the lockdown, but most companies preserved their offline mode. However, now, after the implementation of such technology as Horizon Workrooms, will people still see the sense of meeting in person? Undoubtedly, VR video conferencing in Zoom and Teams could considerably alleviate the lives of workers by providing them with more free time for their family, hobbies and personal interests. Moreover, pregnant women or disabled people will benefit from more convenient working conditions. But if we are considering the social skills and working capacity of our population, won’t they be under threat of being seriously affected? The launch of such technologies could make people addicted to working online resulting in their becoming less communicative, extravert and confident since their acquired skills and features could be aggravated. Moreover, the value of teamwork, mutual trust and support could be completely lost due to a lack of connection between employees in real life. In my opinion, the technology developed by Meta is truly amazing. A few years ago it was difficult even to imagine that people will have an opportunity to work in VR, so I believe, that this innovative technology will continue to evolve but it is crucial to highlight the importance of meetings in real-time, which should be an integral part of our lives.

Sources:

https://www.meta.com/pl/en/work/workrooms/

https://www.oculus.com/blog/future-of-work-meta-connect-2022-quest-pro-microsoft-accenture/

https://www.uctoday.com/unified-communications/teams-and-zoom-to-integrate-with-meta-vr-workrooms/

https://www.avinteractive.com/news/collaboration/microsoft-and-meta-partner-to-deliver-immersive-experiences-for-the-future-of-work-and-play-11-10-2022/

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One thought on “Working in Virtual Reality

  1. Alina Minenko says:

    Only a couple of years ago it would have sounded like a fairy tale: an opportunity to hold conferences in virtual rooms using avatars. I am astonished by the speed AI is progressing at. Unlike ordinary zoom conferences where it is hard to concentrate and make important decisions, working in virtual rooms can be extremely beneficial and profitable for companies. I believe that in the future this innovation will be more popular and widely used.

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