Infographic courtesy Lumus Vision

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Successful companies recognize that millennials are not just another demographic — they are a generation deeply intertwined with technology and a hunger for immersive experiences that resonate with their digital-savvy nature. Understanding their preferences and embracing innovative approaches is the key to forging a powerful connection with this influential audience.

The Power of Virtual Reality 

Millennials’ daily lives revolve around technology, from smartphones and social media to augmented reality (AR) games. This digital upbringing has molded them into a generation that embraces technology as an integral part of their existence. 

Virtual reality (VR), with its promise of heightened interactivity and immersion, aligns seamlessly with millennials’ preferences for cutting-edge experiences that push the boundaries of innovation. By harnessing this type of technology, brands can unlock the door to an entirely new realm of engaging and memorable interactions.

One of the most significant advantages of VR lies in its ability to evoke powerful emotions and forge genuine connections with its users. Immersive experiences, such as walking through a digital art gallery, exploring exotic landscapes, or participating in virtual adventures, evoke a wide range of feelings that leave a lasting impact on millennials. VR has the remarkable ability to stimulate joy, awe, curiosity, and even empathy, enabling brands to establish an emotional bond that transcends traditional advertising methods.

For example, a travel agency could have consumers use VR to experience what it would be like to visit a destination, or a car company can have potential consumers “test drive” a car before purchasing it. Walmart launched an immersive experience in Roblox, dubbed Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play — each of which offers interactive content for their consumers. Consumers can make wishlists or play with products before purchasing them. 

Moreover, millennials are renowned for their enthusiasm for sharing experiences with their social circles. VR activations present an ideal platform for creating buzz-worthy content that millennials are eager to share with friends, family, and followers. The allure of being the first to experience groundbreaking VR content and sharing these captivating moments on social media amplifies brand reach, fostering organic word-of-mouth marketing that can exponentially expand brand visibility.

Always at the Cutting Edge: First-time Experiences

The draw of exclusive experiences holds an irresistible pull for millennials. Whether it’s a product unveiling, a sneak peek into a new service, or an invite-only event, the element of exclusivity ignites curiosity and fosters a sense of belonging among millennials. The desire to be part of an exclusive circle drives them to engage more deeply with the brand and fosters a sense of loyalty that extends far beyond the initial encounter.

First-time experiences also present a tremendous opportunity for brands to foster viral moments and social sharing. Millennials are natural sharers, and when a brand delivers a unique and captivating activation, it can trigger a wave of social media sharing. This exponential spread of content not only amplifies the brand’s reach, but also generates authentic word-of-mouth marketing, reinforcing the brand’s position at the cutting edge.

Enhancing Consumer Data Collection through Immersive Experiences

Immersive experiences often require users to log in or sign up to access exclusive content or participate fully in the virtual encounter. These interactions serve as invaluable touchpoints for data capture. By designing user-friendly registration processes that encourage engagement, brands can obtain essential demographic information and preferences directly from their millennial audience. This data becomes the foundation for developing personalized marketing campaigns that resonate deeply with each individual.

Compared to conventional marketing efforts, immersive experiences have the advantage of capturing consumer data in real-time and in contextually relevant settings. Brands can monitor users’ interactions, behaviors, and engagement levels throughout the experience, generating a wealth of data about their preferences, interests, and emotional responses. This real-time data collection enables brands to make data-driven decisions quickly, enhancing the agility and responsiveness of their marketing strategies.

By seamlessly integrating data capture into immersive activations, brands send a powerful message to millennials that they are understood as an audience. Millennials value brands that respect their privacy while delivering personalized experiences. Transparent data collection within immersive encounters demonstrates the brand’s commitment to understanding their target audience’s preferences and providing tailored experiences that resonate with their individual interests.

The Future of Brand Experience for Millennials

As technology continues to advance exponentially, the future of brand experiences for millennials promises to be even more immersive and transformative. VR and AR will likely take center stage as powerful tools for crafting captivating and interactive encounters. Brands will increasingly harness these technologies to create hyper-personalized experiences that cater to the unique preferences and interests of individual millennials.

The rise of extended reality (XR) will blur the boundaries between physical and virtual realms, allowing brands to orchestrate seamless and multi-dimensional experiences that fully engage all the senses. Immersive activations will evolve beyond standalone events, becoming part of a larger experiential ecosystem, where consumers can interact with brands across multiple touch-points and platforms.

Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics will revolutionize immersive experiences. AI-powered personalization engines will enable brands to dynamically adapt content based on real-time data, ensuring that each interaction feels tailored and relevant to the individual millennial. Data-driven insights will continue to play a pivotal role in refining marketing strategies and creating experiences that resonate authentically with the target audience.

The future of brand experiences for millennials will be characterized by a seamless blend of storytelling and gamification. Brands will curate interactive narratives that immerse millennials in compelling storylines, where they play an active role in shaping the outcomes. Gamified experiences will tap into millennials’ love for challenges and rewards, fostering deeper engagement and loyalty.

By recognizing the significance of creating immersive experiences for millennials, brands can break through the noise of a crowded marketplace, leaving a remarkable impact on their audience. With the ability to cultivate strong brand affinity and foster unwavering loyalty, immersive brand experiences prove to be the gateway to establishing enduring relationships with this influential and ever-evolving generation.

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Case in point, this year’s Consumer Electronics Show provided a glimpse at whiz-bang technology and gadgets, as well as what might be the first in a whole new generation of premium VR headsets from some big brands as well as upstarts.

However, what everyone and all industries continue to fail to take into account is that none of this technology means anything unless the platforms they run on is ready to take off. Because of this, 2023 shouldn’t be viewed as the year of hardware and gadgets, but instead it’s the year of the platform for these technologies.

What Is Meant by Platform?

Look at it this way, imagine if you took today’s latest iPhone and ran it on the operating system from 2009. Even though the hardware is amazing, its performance would virtually make the user experience meaningless. The same has been the case for AI, and much of the immersive mixed reality technologies that comprise AR/VR.

Enterprise-grade high-quality AR/VR platforms require both performance and scale. However, existing systems such as MS HoloLens and others are severely limited in both aspects. Most enterprises have a rich repository of existing complex 3D CAD/CAM models created over the years, which is a critical part of the digital thread being laid out. These 3D models may vary in their complexity (such as poly count, hierarchy, details, etc.), making it difficult to run on standalone devices, restricted by device limitations. This forces developers to decimate and optimized the models to work on limited resources available on these devices, breaking the digital thread.

Businesses need to know that as these virtual environments become richer and larger, the problem of scalability continues to compound. This cycle is repeated for each of the different hardware platforms, making it difficult for any enterprise to move from experiments and pilots to full-scale deployable solutions, thus stunting the speed of innovation and effectiveness.

The device limitations also severely restrict the capability of existing AR/VR systems to generate and work within most cloud environments, which is essential to collocate and precisely fuse the virtual objects on top of physical objects in the real world with complex surfaces, and varied lighting and environment.

Businesses in 2023 are finally overcoming this significant challenge by leveraging AR/VR platforms that are based on distributed cloud architecture and 3D vision-based AI. Up until 2023 many of these platforms were not cloud-based and relied on datacenter technology on premise – which for years had slowed the process and compute capacity to a point in which the user experience was not ideal for today’s requirements. However, in 2023 these cloud-based platforms now provide the desired performance and scalability to drive innovation in the industry at speed and scale.

Businesses today are experiencing the next wave of technology innovation that will fundamentally alter the way they operate. This transformation is primarily driven by merging of the digital and physical world to create a better, smarter and more efficient way of operating. Immersive technologies such as AR/VR are playing a pivotal role in this transformation. The organizations that take a leadership role will be the ones that not only leverage these technologies, but they will partner with the right technology provider to help scale appropriately without having to stunt technological growth.

Cloud Platforms Enable “Digital Twins”

It is this sort of platform that is finally enabling today’s IT leaders to build the Metaverse – knowledge workers and things being represented by “digital twins” – a virtual world where people, consumers, workers all gather to communicate, collaborate, and share through a virtual presence on any device. This means companies will build immersive virtual spaces, aka metaverses, and it will allow employees to virtually collaborate using their digital twin through chats, emails, video calls and even face-to-face meetings.

Well-known companies like Microsoft, Accenture, and Facebook, which itself is now called Meta, are all paving the way toward this new reality of business with their headsets and hardware, but none of it can truly excel and perform without the right platform working behind the scenes building immersive reality, modeling and simulation technologies that will ultimately power this new metaverse and virtual environments for business and enterprise use.

In 2023, platforms will finally breathe life into these technologies based on the following specifications, all made possible by their cloud-based environments as the engine:

1. Virtual Reality Space Convergence

• Ultra-low Latency High Fidelity Rendering: Low latency is extremely critical to provide an immersive experience in virtual environments. AR/VR partners provide unparalleled realism of environments by leveraging ultra-low latency remote rendering on cloud/on premise in full fidelity and wirelessly streaming the solution to affordable commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices – HMD, Tablet and Desktop.
• High Precision 3D Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Spatial Mapping: Uses high-fidelity remote spatial mapping with high fidelity 3D scene reconstruction, scene segmentation and 3D object recognition using 3D vision and deep learning-based AI with precise fusion of the real and virtual worlds to merge real world and virtual worlds.

2. Communications and Computing Infrastructure

• Cloud computing/edge computing: Industrial enterprises will subscribe to multi-cloud, edge cloud. Depending on different factors like data sensitivity, latency, cost, different parts of the environment need to be run at different clouds/edge in a distributed manner.
• Messaging framework: In the distributed Metaverse there is a need to update the Metaverse at global scale so users can collaborate seamlessly. AR/VR partners have messaging framework updates distributed to the Metaverse at global scale. 

3. Fundamental Common Technology

• Security and privacy: Security and privacy is one of the biggest issues facing today’s world. Since digital twins are an integral part, these environments will have much richer data. The security and privacy in virtual environments cannot be solved by traditional security tools. AR/VR partners have built tools that handle security and privacy related to digital twins.

Technologies like AI, IoT and AR/VR have been hyped for years. But 2023 is the year of the cloud-based platform that finally enables each of these technologies to power business and consumer applications.

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Business owners and department managers today should highly consider AR/VR and immersive mixed reality for training new employees, and to keep existing employees’ skillsets sharp with periodic retraining of newer production tools and resources.

Simply put, the future of almost all learning is going to have some type of virtual component. The Covid-19 pandemic made this clear as both professionals and students reshuffled their work and studies online and even remotely.

There are other benefits as well. Today’s immersive mixed reality technologies are beyond lifelike, so it allows for effective and exact training of many complex skills. VR headsets create an audio-visual experience and can be paired with physical sensors and tools to create an entire body training environment. And while this offers a certain “wow factor”, it also means it can be beneficial for potentially risky training.

For example, the U.S. continues to lead the world in the design and deployment of virtualized modeling and simulation (M&S) technologies for several industries, such as military and defense. These technological innovations have been used to support strategic operations and training of all facets of the military.

It is estimated that unclassified open-source contracts for virtual and augmented simulation training for the U.S. Army alone totaled $2.7 billion in 2019, increased to an estimated $3 billion in 2020, and is expected to rise to more than $19 billion by 2027¹.

And it’s not just a hope and a dream, there are already significant ROI accomplishments for the technology. For example, Lockheed Martin Corp. has been developing how-to manuals that include animations for assembling spacecraft components. This has reduced the time required to interpret assembly instructions by 95%, along with an 85% reduction in overall training time and a more than 40-percent boost in productivity².

The Need for Virtualization

Sure, on the surface these are significantly large investments. However, these expenditures pale in comparison to the traditional training costs as virtualized technologies do not require costs for travel, expensive munitions, fuel, or any other overhead costs typically associated with a standard training program. Furthermore, there are also reduced risks for soldiers and air-personnel in training as they virtually use weapons, operate a variety of vehicles, or practice team, squad, and full unit tactics in a complete range of simulated environments with adaptable scenarios and landscapes.

Virtualized technologies are still not created equal, though. This is important because today, many existing untethered immersive extended reality (XR) systems lack visual realism, precise blending of virtual and real world, scalability and flexibility required for truly immersive multi-user environments. This is primarily due to limited compute capability, battery capacity and very restrictive thermal envelopes of existing standalone XR devices such as HMD, Tablets, Smartphones, and these challenges will persist in the foreseeable future.

Where Virtualization Makes a Difference

These limitations also extend to immersive modeling and simulations environments for training of employees requiring increasingly joint, coalition, distributed, complex, intense, and specific environments to develop necessary training readiness. Optimum XR systems need to support ultra-realistic, high-fidelity visuals; precise fusion of the virtual on real world in a multi-user, multi-platform environment and flexibility of environment rehearsal in variety of employment situations. However, existing immersive operational training environments are very siloed, too slow, too expensive, and not adaptable enough to prepare for modern day manufacturing or design skillsets.

Among the many reasons why this technology is successful, the cloud native XR platform overcomes the limitations of existing untethered immersive systems. It provides an open, interoperable, scalable unified and shared XR infrastructure for ultra-realistic simulations in any industrial setting. It combines the best of gaming technologies/concepts with traditional simulator capabilities by leveraging cloud computing and 3D Artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver a ubiquitous, reconfigurable, on-demand and immersive training system for multi-user environments.

The platform utilizes server-class Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) on cloud/on-premise/edge to achieve high-fidelity rendering of complex 3D content, and real-time alignment and tracking of virtual models/scenes over real-world objects, and support multi-user multi-platform environments.

Other technical breakthroughs include:

• Ultra-low Latency High Fidelity Rendering: Provides unparallel realism of training by leveraging ultra-low latency remote rendering on cloud/on premise in full fidelity and wirelessly streaming the solution to affordable commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices – HMD, Tablet and Desktop.
• High Precision 3D Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Spatial Mapping: Uses high-fidelity remote spatial mapping with high fidelity 3D scene reconstruction, scene segmentation and 3D object recognition using 3D vision and deep learning-based AI with precise fusion of the real and virtual worlds to create advance visualization and sophisticated picture of battlespace environments.
• Cloud-based agile development, deployment, and operations (DevSecOps): Uses Kubernetes for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI-CD) and auto-scaling in a modern private/public/edge/hybrid cloud ensuring resource optimization and sharing.

The average U.S. company spends over $1,000 on training per employee each year – costs that can significantly add up over time. Immersive mixed reality can help cut costs and reduce overall overhead expenses to preserve the bottom line over time, despite the obvious initial investment.

Business owners and managers in virtually every industry with a manufacturing operation today are realizing the importance of gaining a competitive advantage by implementing these cutting-edge technologies and practices. The innovative nature alone will help boost employee recruitment and retention.

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We believe that a discussion about the benefits and drawbacks will help the audience understand Metaverse in detail.

This blog covers an overview of all the advantages and disadvantages of Metaverse technology which, we believe, would help you develop an unbiased opinion about Metaverse.

But before that, one needs to understand what Metaverse actually is.

The famous author, Neal Stephenson, defined Metaverse as the virtual event technology world where people interact with each other digitally, in the form of their digital representations, avatars. Many organizations have already started planning to capitalize on Metaverse. Apart from that, since the future of the Metaverse is not decided, it comes as a possibility of several advancements in the Metaverse.

Now that you know what Metaverse is, let us tell you the way it works. Gaining a brief overview of its working will help you get a better insight into the merits and limitations of Metaverse. To understand in simple terms, Metaverse is the virtual representation of the real world which is technology-driven. Metaverse allows us to engage in several activities just as we would do in the real world. You can play games, interact with people, work with your colleagues, and even party with your friends. The only twist that lies here is you will be doing all this from the comfort of your own home, but the experience will be nothing short of a live experience. All you need is a VR headset, and you are all set to enjoy real-life experiences in the virtual and hybrid event technology.

Now that you have an idea of what the Metaverse is all about, let us dive straight into the advantages and disadvantages that come with the Metaverse.

Advantages of Metaverse:

Immersive Work Experiences

In 2020, the world started facing the adversities of the Pandemic, and shifted online and realized the importance of remote working. All the global organizations started using online communication tools extensively and the popularity of these tools grew. Now, we have become so used to this mode that even after things have started to go back to normal, we are looking forward to using it in the coming time.

Even educational institutions around the world have adapted to the idea of distance learning in the event of in-person restrictions. We can say that the pandemic played a very vital role in the popularity of these communication tools. Metaverse technology is one step ahead of these virtual tools. It provides an immersive experience to the attendees, and they can make the most of the 3D Virtually designed environment. They can engage with their fellow attendees, just as they do in real-life. In short, metaverse provides an extremely immersive experience to the attendees, simply like no other.

Supports the Power of Blockchain

Here is another advantage of the metaverse which is that the Metaverse backs the power of Blockchain. Blockchain can be described as the foundation of digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. Along with it, Blockchain facilitates the development of NFT. The metaverse promotes NFT-based games and provides a suitable environment for these games and blockchain environments.

Develop Virtual Economy

One thing that is going to become extensively popular in the coming days is the concept of the Virtual economy. With the expansion of virtual event technology, the virtual economy would also continue to grow in the coming time. In this scenario, metaverse acts as an exchange ground of digital assets with the same economic value. Also, Metaverse also holds an upper hand in introducing new activities and possibilities in the real as well as the virtual world. It promotes widespread utilization of digital currency, cryptocurrency, Non Fungible Tokens, digital currency ownership, blockchain gaming, and other finance applications.

Upgrade the Application of Social Media

Since all the social media platforms are two-dimensional. It is because of the fact that platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms promote and are basically limited to screen-to-screen interaction. An immersive and exceptional social media interface would allow the users to interact with each other just as they would do in real life. A platform with heavy use of graphics allows face to face interaction with all uses for content made in virtual environments.

Disadvantages of Metaverse:

Advanced Technical Requirements

One big disadvantage of the metaverse is it comes with the basic requirement of advanced technical equipment. There are several requirements and involvement that come with metaverses such as VR Headsets, Blockchain, haptics, and many more. Along with it, to access the metaverse, one needs to have a fast and stable internet connection. Not everyone has access to fast internet or these highly advanced technologies.

Privacy Concerns

One of the biggest concerns of digital technology and its users across the world is the security of the platform. As it requires the attendees to fill in their data, it becomes an extra concern for the organizers to maintain the privacy of the data. The security and privacy breach can create blunders and cost the organizers their entire reputation. Also, since the world of the metaverse is still developing, organizers are still unsure about the safety of these platforms. Since it is entirely online, the issues of security breaches might be observed in the near future.

Collapsing Gaps Between the Real and Virtual World

While the intent of the metaverse is to bring the real and virtual world together, it blurs the difference between the virtual and real-world completely. Apart from this, such technological advancements have become an addiction. It also affects the way people perceive their real-life relationships.

Concerns About Social and Cultural Impacts

Another disadvantage of this latest technology is the possibility of creating new norms that it comes with. Users across the world are concerned about the possibility that the metaverse can destroy the existing cultural values. They believe that use of this technology might lead to introduction of new cultural values that would be different from the existing ones.

Concerns About Its Utility

Another common concern that global users have regarding this technology is its utilization. People are thinking if we really need this advanced technology that will leave absolutely no difference between reality and virtuality. Along with it, there lies a constant concern if we, as a society, are really ready to share a virtual space? Also, what about its costs, and if it would do any good to human relationships or not.

Now that we know advantages and disadvantages of the Metaverse, it is clear that every coin has two sides. No matter how many advantages this newest technology comes with, it has its own disadvantages. Those who are thinking of getting their hands should note both sides and then make decisions accordingly.

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It’s called Edutainment (Education and Entertainment). The main goal is to make education more fun, engaging, and entertaining. These benefits can improve the learning process and increase the attention time that students invest.

How Education and Games Can Combine 

Education games can create a more personalized experience for students. For example – learning science fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, and more can be complicated and overwhelming. However, if a student learns through science quizzes, achieves points, and levels up with every step, he will feel like this is not a boring task but a fun activity. In such a case, the learning experience is entirely different and more beneficial.

Here are 11 Ways that Technology will Improve Education in the Future

1. There’s a big chance that classrooms will have virtual reality devices that provide students access to lessons from all over the world in the future. Students can take courses from universities like Harvard or Yale and feel like they are sitting in these top-rated universities. It will improve their learning experience instead of restricting them to local schools or teachers.

2. Using augmented reality, students will be able to see the solar system or even the molecules in the atmosphere – and how they affect our day-to-day lives.

3. Artificial intelligence in the classroom can also enhance the learning process. Artificial intelligence is one of the future’s most promising technologies. This technology can teach students, monitor their progress, and adapt the personalized learning process to suit individual needs. This will be one of the biggest breakthroughs in future education. With Google and Microsoft both developing new forms of AI specifically for educational purposes, it seems like this will soon become a mainstay of education systems worldwide.

4. Robots will all be used to teach children languages and practice with them. As we all know, to improve your language skill you need to practice a lot. 

With robots available for every student, they can practice as much as they like and have a fluent conversation in a foreign language.  

5. Edutainment techniques will eventually become so advanced that children will learn faster by playing games on their tablets or mobile phones versus spending hours reading books.

6. Some people believe that future education systems will run largely on data which means that we won’t have textbooks anymore, and children will be encouraged to ask more questions instead of memorizing answers.

7. Edutainment could also help students understand the real world and learn how to cope with challenges by playing different games involving their daily lives.

8. Virtual reality is also becoming increasingly popular. By projecting 3D computer graphics into real space around the viewer, a virtual reality (VR) headset allows users to feel like they are in a completely different environment. This is perfect for educational purposes, as it can give students all-around views of objects that would be impossible in real life.

9. In 2025, scientists expect Virtual Reality to become a part of almost every classroom because its immersive nature helps students focus better in educational lessons while giving new insights into complex concepts. 

10. Learning analytics software will be used by 2030 to monitor students’ progress through learning tools like online courses. These tools will make it easier for teachers and educators to track students’ performance in class or at home while learning or practicing online.

11. Edutainment will become an integral part of future work culture since companies will start using VR headsets to train employees in a virtual environment instead of physically going through the motions of whatever tasks they need to do for learning purposes.

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All these technologies have specific differences, but they’re also today now working together in advanced three-dimensional (3D) applications and environments, all for the benefit of these companies and their customers.

Immersive Mixed Reality Uses

With virtual reality, a user wears a headset that fully delves into a new world or environment, some that even mimic the real world. The user is given both a visual and audible experience that is meant to replicate a real-world setting in a manufactured environment.

Augmented reality is similar in concept, but it also displays digital content in the real world. Imagine an automotive manufacturer whereby an engineer holds up an iPad in front of a car being designed to see virtual specs of a vehicle’s design layout or various engine spec options.

Where Immersive Mixed Reality Falls Short for Enterprises

The challenge is that these technologies require heavy doses of data, the ability to process vast amounts of data at impeccable speeds, and the ability to scale projects in a computer environment that doesn’t often happen in traditional office environments. 

Immersive mixed reality requires a precise and persistent fusion of the real and virtual worlds. This means rendering complex models and scenes in photorealistic detail, rendered at the correct physical location (with respect to both the real and virtual worlds) with the correct scale, and accurate pose. Think of the accuracy and precise nature required in leveraging AR/VR to design, build or repair components of an airline engine, or an advanced surgical device used in medical applications. 

This is achieved today by using discrete GPUs from one or more servers and delivering the rendered frames wirelessly or remotely to the head mounted displays (HMDs) such as the Microsoft HoloLens and the Oculus Quest.

The Need for 3D & AI in Immersive Mixed Reality

One of the key requirements for mixed reality applications is to precisely overlay on an object its model or the digital twin. This helps in providing work instructions for assembly and training, and to catch any errors or defects in manufacturing. The user can also track the object(s) and adjust the rendering as the work progresses. 

Most on-device object tracking systems use 2D image and/or marker-based tracking. This severely limits overlay accuracy in 3D because 2D tracking cannot estimate depth with high accuracy, and consequently the scale, and the pose. This means even though users can get what looks like a good match when looking from one angle and/or position, the overlay loses alignment as the user moves around in 6DOF. Also, the object detection, identification and its scale and orientation estimation — called object registration — is achieved, in most cases, computationally or using simple computer vision methods with standard training libraries (examples: Google MediaPipe, VisionLib). This works well for regular and/or smaller and simpler objects such as hands, faces, cups, tables, chairs, wheels, regular geometry structures, etc. However, for large, complex objects in enterprise use cases, labeled training data (more so in 3D) is not readily available. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to use the 2D image-based tracking to align, overlay, and persistently track the object and fuse the rendered model with it in 3D.

Enterprise-level users are overcoming these challenges by leveraging 3D environments and AI technology into their immersive mixed reality design/build projects.

Deep learning-based 3D AI allows users to identify 3D objects of arbitrary shape and size in various orientations with high accuracy in the 3D space. This approach is scalable with any arbitrary shape and is amenable to use in enterprise use cases requiring rendering overlay of complex 3D models and digital twins with their real-world counterparts. 

This can also be scaled to register with partially completed structures with the complete 3D models, allowing for on-going construction and assembly. Users achieve an accuracy of 1mm — 10mm in the object registration and rendering with this platform approach. The rendering accuracy is primarily limited by the device capability. This approach to 3D object tracking will allow users to truly fuse the real and virtual worlds in enterprise applications, opening many uses including but not limited to: training with work instructions, defect and error detection in construction and assembly, and 3D design and engineering with life size 3D rendering and overlay.

Working in Cloud Environments is Critical

Manufacturers should be cautious in how they design and deploy these technologies, because there is great difference in the platform they are built on and maximized for use.

Even though technologies like AR/VR have been in use for several years, many manufacturers have deployed virtual solutions that are built upon an on-premise environment, where all the technology data is stored locally. 

On-premise AR/VR infrastructures limit the speed and scalability needed for today’s virtual designs, and it limits the ability to conduct knowledge sharing between organizations that can be critical when designing new products and understanding the best way for virtual buildouts.

Manufacturers today are overcoming these limitations by leveraging cloud-based (or remote server based) AR/VR platforms powered by distributed cloud architecture and 3D vision-based AI. These cloud platforms provide the desired performance and scalability to drive innovation in the industry at speed and scale.

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One angle that companies consider is the innovative integration of VR in business. In this article, the world of virtual reality (VR) will be introduced as a powerful tool in its business capabilities. 

After its successful dominance in the gaming industry, VR apps and products also rise to fame for commercial uses and industrial purposes. Whereas the global VR and AR market size was forecasted to have hit $18.8 billion from 2016 to 2020, its continued growth is expected. 

Below are specific ways on how effective VR is in marketing and training for businesses:

1. Enhances Product Designing & Structural Development

The practical application of VR in product and structural designs is a great investment. Although there is an initial expense, it has the potential for reducing time and money spent. 

VR allows you to see a prototype’s ins and outs during the initial stage of product/structural designing. Because of this, making important decisions on resources and materials is easier. 

The goal of VR is to allow prospective clients to look into the designer’s imagination and see the architect’s vision of his building. It also provides a more vivid analysis of the product functionality.

Yulio VR proves that an immersive and memorable virtual presentation invites a greater understanding of a proposal. This is an enhanced way to showcase a product mock-up before its launch or production.

In Hamburg, the integration of VR in Airbus aircraft was found effective. The simulation of interaction among the passengers and cabin crew were recorded, the effects of the movements assessed, and afterward, changes and reconstructions were done immediately on a virtual mock-up. Virtual simulation helped engineers and designers during the concept phase of Airbus.

2. Improves Data Accuracy

With the high-end technology of VR, storing and presenting a vast amount of data can be easily executed. Making informed decisions based on data visualizations becomes more conducive. This is possible by immersing ourselves in a world where a huge amount of data can be readily grasped by our hands. 

In future, VR sensors will be smaller and lighter, making data acquisition faster. With the help of VR, computations and calculations will be more accurate. Although VR applications can be high in cost, there are now devices available to use at affordable rates. 

An example of an immersive platform of patented AI-driven data analytics and 3d visualization is Virtualitics. With a single click, it can provide actionable insights from complex data and can visualize anomalies and patterns. 

Virtualitics also features a shared office in desktop or VR, allowing people across different geographical locations to connect and collaborate. 

Having a smarter AI-driven platform in collaboration with VR can dramatically improve understanding of data. An innovative presentation of data can help industries make better decisions.

3. Innovates E-Commerce Advertising

The rise of online shops makes way for the wide use of marketing automation. The challenge for advertisers to cultivate effective customer experiences can be enhanced in VR. 

Marketing products and services can be more vivid from the perspective of prospective clients. For example, agents in the real estate industry can visually present properties for sale and provide VR tours. Likewise, hotel services can now bring the venue to customers using VR technology.

Marriott Hotels is one of the earliest adopters of a VR-based guest service. Their “VRoom Service” provides guests a realistic travel experience to their rooms. 

This innovative approach to making use of sensory images and creating photoreal CGI versions makes it seem like prospective clients have teleported. Marriot Hotels collaborated with Samsung Electronics America to provide inspiring VR experiences using a Samsung Gear VR headset.

An example of a small business that made a great impact in the market using VR is Toms Shoes. With their side-by-side collaboration with AT&T, they managed to start the “A Walk in Their Shoes” campaign.

The campaign’s vision is to donate a pair of shoes to children in need for every purchase of Tom’s shoes. To make this positive impact come to life, purchasers use a VR chair to have a glimpse of the child’s life who will benefit from the purchase.

The excellent use of VR by Tom’s Shoes with AT&T created a fresh perspective to promote a product. Not only do they make huge sales but they also opened an avenue to inspire people.

4. Enables Live Training Sessions

As opposed to video conferencing, other technical tasks are more hands-on with immersive 3-dimensional technology. Newbies and trainees can benefit from simulating several tasks to be able to carry out their roles in the future. 

Training an employee using VR ensures mastery and quality outputs. Efforts in integrating VR to live training sessions demonstrate the potential for significant productivity in workplaces. It is a viable choice for managers to invest in VR and AR technology to provide development solutions. 

Take the VR platform of VirtualSpeech for example. VirtualSpeech helps organizations improve soft skills with their training courses and realistic simulations. They aim to train potential employees and newbies in communication skills that relate to their presentations, job interviews, and networking practices. 

Using a simulated experience in realistic VR scenarios takes away the dread and anxiety for oral presentations. Public speaking can now be rehearsed in a realistic environment with an audience.

The user can upload presentation slides and notes in the speech training. The speech can be saved to be accessed for analysis and real-time feedback. Through virtual speech training, greater employee performance is guaranteed.

In line with this, using VR to upskill and train workforces in other areas enables them to look around the room and interact online. Detailed instructions are simpler to understand and navigate in VR. Using a virtual boardroom, training and seminars become more interactive.

5. Achieves Virtual Conference Meetings

Have you seen movies that feature men in suits discussing a confidential project in a conference hall? Later in the scene, you observed that these people aren’t actually around each other, but from across the globe! 

Conferences and meetings can now be conducted virtually. By use of sophisticated products like headsets, goggles, or a helmet, employees can join a meeting in a virtual office. 

Companies can choose VR in today’s wide implementation of working from home due to the pandemic. Remote workers will still experience a tangible meeting with those who work in the office. 

Task simulations transfer actual movements and gestures in real-time to virtual reality, thus work experience can be evaluated more efficiently. The enhanced productivity and improved operations using VR can lead to fewer expenses in the future.

Using VR, you and the team can pitch ideas as active participants with physical representations. This way, the outcome of your business planning is more accurate. Crafting the business to the next level can now be done even in the comfort of our homes.

MeetinVR provides a virtual business experience using a VR platform. Their ultimate contribution is creating productive, efficient but also inspiring meetings. They allow you to choose a workspace that fits your meeting needs.

This platform provides your organization a place to create and plan confidentially. It elevates your brainstorming with the use of a tablet to access tools and extract files into 3d. Getting back to meeting sessions and inviting others can be done in a matter of seconds.

Because VR is a lot different from pre-recorded videos or live chats, there will be greater employee engagement. With a tool as delicate as VR, companies ought to explore how to use this technology. 

6. Simulates Tours and Travel

Another obvious way in which VR can impact businesses is the opportunity it presents for tours and travel. 

Aside from eliminating the hassle and risk of commuting for employees, the tourism industry can also benefit from VR. They can advertise tourist destinations in an interactive environment for clients to visit. 

Other than showing plain images and videos, inquiring customers can have a genuine experience in the location instead. 

Combining digital aspects with actual human experience helps in transforming the business landscape for this industry. VR can provide alternate experiences for prospective customers in a safer and more convenient manner.

Businesses in the hotel management and travel industry are likely to draw clients to destinations with VR. In fact, the Qantas, Hamilton Islands partnership with Samsung has allowed their customers to experience a 360-degree view of their destination.

Qantas adopted VR to create an exciting glimpse of one of Australia’s most popular and scenic holiday destinations. Clients get to experience a brief realistic jet flight to Hamilton Island. 

They are then welcomed to a luxurious resort where they can decide to visit an abundant tropical beach, play golf, enjoy breathtaking views from a helicopter tour, or sail on a yacht. All these by simply hovering your mouse over the video in any direction!

VR captures realistic destinations in an immersive way. Using a VR headset or a regular computer, VR can definitely enable visitors to have a unique experience even from the other side of the globe.

7. Provides a Powerful Tool for Hiring 

Finally, companies can also reap benefits with VR because it can be a great tool for hiring applicants and determining potential employees. Due to several developments for VR sensors, responses and body language can be observed more closely. VR communicates these genuine gestures. 

The human resources department can have a more intrinsic method of looking for candidates. Simulations and demonstrations can be captured in a near face-to-face experience, allowing employers to assess whether an applicant is qualified for a position. 

Deutsche Bahn, a company in Germany believes it is the first to use VR to recruit staff. This railway company invested in innovative technology as they try to replace employees on the verge of retiring.

Since there have always been challenges in the labor market like demographic changes and rival companies, Deutsche Bahn thought of integrating VR as a recruitment tool. It gave insights into different jobs that they offer – whether an electrician or train driver. 

As a transport group that aims to recruit between 7,000 – 8,000 people each year in Germany, their VR integration has proven useful. 

More into Business and Virtual Reality

The increasing demand for AR and VR devices is no longer exclusive to the entertainment industry. It has significant potential in changing the business world as well. 

The continuity of e-Commerce in the digital era becomes brighter with the application of VR. Marketing can be enhanced and training people can be more conducive. 

Beyond gaming, the market is now demanding viable VR strategies. Enhanced workplaces and more automated operations in virtual reality impact organizations in a variety of ways. 

These benefits motivate opportunities for VR technology in the hands of software developers. The future of virtual reality and business appears to be promising.

The post 7 Ways VR is Marketing and Training More Effective for Businesses Today appeared first on SiteProNews.

Today, different industries are developing new processes and methods to use the latest technologies to boost processes. In the healthcare industry, there’s been a lot of talk about healthcare software development with the use of VR, with various virtual reality apps being implemented in the industry already. Apps like healthcare devices, robotic surgery, and so on are gradually gaining ground and more likely would be adopted by different healthcare companies and accepted by people. 

With its power to suppress healthcare costs through a seamless delivery and cutting down on wasteful spending, virtual care is more and more seen not just as a smart addition to the suite of services that healthcare providers offer, but has become a necessity as well. 

The Impact of VR in the Healthcare Field

Virtual Reality has indeed revolutionized, and continues to revolutionize the field of healthcare. At present, healthcare software development companies are working with some of the biggest brands in the medical and pharmaceutical industries to build a range of virtual reality experiences. We’ve witnessed a great surge in the use of VR in the sector, and continue to be impressed and fascinated by the various apps that clients need. 

1. Medical Education

In medical education and training, VR simulation technologies have been used for some time now. Major companies that are VR-based are building products that combine 360-degree video as well as 3D interactive content to create the best learning programs possible for both doctors and students. The technology enables them to practice life-saving, complex procedures in a risk-free environment, boost their skills, and acquire usability feedback in the process. VR, today is making inroads in nursing. 

2. Mental Illness Care

One of the standard procedures to treat various kinds of mental illness is exposure therapy. Gradually, VR is changing how exposure therapy is carried out for patients who are mentally ill, through providing a flexible, low-cost, and low-risk solution for curing mental illness. By providing new ways to keep the body calm and relaxed, virtual reality helps treat panic attacks and anxiety as well. 

3. Pain Management

Physicians have been using cognitive distraction methods to treat various kinds of pain for some time now. VR provides a new face to these methods by providing different interactive games. The games are played in a simulated environment, loaded with interactive features. 

Although some apps provide therapeutic virtual reality for victims of burns, there also are considerably advanced measures, which facilitate efficient management of limb pain. Moreover, VR serves as a drug-free pain management option that could be used without clinical settings. 

4. VR in Surgery

In surgery, virtual reality has been around for a while now, and has gained immense popularity among the physician community. The surgery is done by a robotic device that’s controlled by a human surgeon. The method minimizes the risk and time related with the complications in surgery. 

In tele-surgery, virtual reality plays a major role, which is done at a different location by a surgeon on a patient. The force feedback feature helps the surgeon in measuring the pressure that should be applied, while doing a delicate procedure, like dentistry for instance, and others. 

5. Diagnostics VR

VR is used as a powerful diagnostic tool that helps physicians and doctors to perform an accurate diagnosis. This along with other methods, including CT/MRI scans, eradicates the need for any type of invasive techniques, which make it pain-free for the patient. 

6. Human Simulation Techniques

Virtual reality is extremely helpful in different human simulation techniques, and allows physicians, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to interact with others. They can engage in various training sessions and interact with a patient, but in a 3D environment only. 

This is an immersive experience that determines the participant’s emotions with the use of a series of sensors. 

7. Physical Fitness and PT

The fitness industry is experiencing a big change in how exercises are carried out. A lot of industry start-ups are combining cardio routines with virtual reality and changing how people exercise. Going further, VR has a major role in physical therapy as well, in which patients are subjected to an exercise routine that integrates VR, rather than invasive surgeries or drugs. 

8. Other VR Apps

Virtual reality is extremely helpful in different human simulation techniques, enabling physicians, doctors, and nurses, as well as other medical personnel to apply other apps which include the following:

• VR in Nursing
• Autism Treatment
• Dentistry VR
• VR Surgery simulation
• Virtual Reality for the Disabled
• VR in the Treatment of Phobia
• Virtual Reality treatment for PTSD

The Future of Virtual Reality in the Industry

In the years to come, there will be more use of VR to boost the effectiveness and accuracy of current procedures, as well as to boost human capabilities for both caregivers and patients. Simply put, the potential of virtual reality in the industry is big, only limited by the ingenuity and creativity of those that create and apply the technology. 

VR began its fascinating take-over of the healthcare space to the delight of doctors and patients alike. Medical and healthcare virtual reality is an area with amazing possibilities. It has not only stirred the imagination of sci-fi enthusiasts, it also has impacted real-life medical practitioners and clinical researchers. 

While the field is relatively new, there are already many examples of the technology having a positive impact on the lives of patients and the work of physicians. 

Conclusion

VR, overall offers an innovative way of advancing patient care, medical procedures and training as well. In the years to come, the technology will prove to be a healing touch for patients while sharpening the skills of medical practitioners and other healthcare service providers, thus, adding value to the entire healthcare environment. 

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Future technologies of 2020 assist us during these trying times, and many novel solutions will continue to shape the world around us. We’re lucky to live in an age where technology is constantly making our lives more secure and easier. Although most technology trends are based on past innovations, companies have been forced to push the envelope on many emerging automatization systems because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The future seems to have arrived quicker than any of us could’ve expected.

In this article, we’ve compiled the top 5 technologies that will impact our lives in 2020 and beyond. Let’s take a closer look. 

1. Autonomous Future Technologies in World 

Because there’s been a need to deliver goods with the least amount of physical contact,  technologies and electrical devices have moved towards greater autonomy. 

Robots, drones, and even self-driving cars are just some of the machines whose ability to “think” has greatly improved lately. Tesla cars feature the Autopilot mode that isn’t yet  fully automonus, but it’s getting close. Hospitals worldwide are using all sorts of autonomous vehicles to carry food and sterilize rooms. In some Chinese hospitals, self-driving cars can even pick up infected patients to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. It’s a great and safe solution for frontline healthcare workers.

2. Food Like You’ve Never Had It Before: 3D Printed 

Future technologies are not just limited to modes of transport. 3D printers are gaining popularity, and some companies are testing printing food. Yes, that’s right. The printers can do everything from pizza to simple vegetables and delicious cakes. And needless to say, the printers are also used in various industries to produce non-edible machine parts and even replacement joints. The materials keep getting better — lighter but stronger. 

3. Working in Virtual Reality

Virtual and augmented reality devices are getting better every year. And, they’re not only used for gaming. Ever since the harsh lockdown measure, more and more companies are utilizing VR devices in the workplace. You can hold virtual team briefs or even present virtual representations of upcoming products. This is probably how future technology will affect us the most. Many people have enjoyed the work-from-home-experience and wouldn’t mind continuing like that. And, with the help of VR, it’s completely possible.

4. Trains That Go Super-Fast 

Elon Musk is not only building cars and space rockets. He also backs Hyperloop, a company that develops high-speed transportation systems. One underground route is planned for L.A. to San Francisco and another one for New York to Washington, D.C. The aim is to significantly reduce travel time. If the underground ultra-fast train project is a success, we can expect similar routes to run even underwater. Traveling from one country to another would become dramatically faster, bringing big changes to international travel. 

5. Artificial Intelligence 

Robot technology is being developed at rapid speed, and the good news is that a lot of it is going to help us with our everyday tasks. Tedious chores around the house, for example, will soon be handled by robots. Robot vacuum cleaners and other smart home devices were introduced years ago. So, what is the next step? Robot butlers and chefs? Why not? We’ve already seen robot dogs and other AI companions. What’s more, existing home items could very well take on new responsibilities. Telehealth has been beneficial in avoiding doctor appointments during the quarantine. And we can probably expect more smart home appliances in the future making assessments about our general wellness. 

Perhaps, we can soon have smart mirrors that report vitamin deficiencies or other health problems just by taking a “look” at us.

Conclusion

No one knows exactly what future technology will be like. But, we can make some pretty accurate predictions based on innovations that are already changing our lives in 2020. Many artificial intelligence solutions that have seen rapid development lately because of the pandemic will keep unburdening us of more tedious chores. We can also expect faster connections between cities and countries. Whether via super-fast trains or something else, humanity is moving towards speedier transportation. And, virtual reality is now changing our workplaces and will also probably continue to have an impact on the way we spend our leisure time.

What do you think future technologies will be after the pandemic? Have you heard of any new invention that isn’t on our list? Let us know in the comments section. 

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Proper Supporting Infrastructure and Usability

As with any new technology, there’s going to be a transition period to allow educators to familiarize themselves with how the platform works. While some educators will be comfortable with the nature of virtual reality’s immersive world and will implement its use as soon as it is available, others will require training and hands-on learning time before they can share all the possibilities with their students. A teacher cannot properly teach with a tool unless they have reached competency with that tool first.

Additionally, excellent broadband connectivity has to be widely available before virtual reality platforms will perform without latency issues like buffering and stalling. VR relies on solid throughput, preferably on a 5G network.

This type of service is available now in a few of America’s largest cities, with markets expanding significantly through 2020. But internet service in our most rural schools struggle to provide even the most basic internet connectivity to their students; it is a near certainty VR implementation will remain unattainable to these school districts for an indefinite period of time.

Health, Emotional, and Safety Issues

Side effects have been noted in some users when working within immersive VR environments. Ranging from eye strain and blurred vision to balance issues and nausea, some students may experience negative side effects while interacting with a VR lesson plan. An action plan for student safety will have to be included when designing any virtual reality program, with an alternate way for a student to access the information being offered if they have a genuine problem interacting with the technology.

Some students may refuse to accept the required headgear. Students with sensory differences may find this equipment uncomfortable due to the way it rubs at the back of their ears or pulls on the back of their head. Some may find the necessary visor/headgear claustrophobic.

Secondly, current technology creates an issue in maintaining supervision on the real-world classroom while guiding students within a VR simulation. Unless educators are working in teams, this will become a significant problem where instructors must effectively bridge and work within both worlds simultaneously. Many applications lack an option that would allow facilitators to follow along on a tablet or laptop. Such a feature would give educators simultaneous access to both the VR simulation and their real-world setting. Another factor to consider is the need to guide students through online menu choices, which can be challenging if the pupil cannot adequately explain menu options as they are seeing them.

Finally, if schools choose to run VR simulations using a “bring your own device” system paired with a DIY VR headset like Google Cardboard, your school’s network will need to be configured with role-based access control, if it’s not already. This will allow network admins to know when, how, and which students are on the network, and what they’re doing while they’re connected.

Cost

The cost of VR hardware is a serious stumbling block for many school districts. While the imagined ideal when describing VR implementation has an entire classroom of students immersed in a field trip to the Louvre or to the inside of an active volcano with the teacher guiding them, the reality for most districts will have educators rotating one or two headsets between 25 or more students for shorter VR immersion activities. The students who do not have headsets will work on complementary activities built into the lesson plan.

Cost for adding VR to a classroom can be mitigated in part by effecting a BYOD policy and using a carrier like Google Cardboard (which even has DIY plans) as a VR headset. However, Android devices paired with Google Cardboard may not provide the educational experience desired due to limited applications. And while the Google Cardboard headset is exciting in that it offers a way for anyone with a good cell phone a way to experience VR, it also offers the most basic VR experience to users. Literally made from folded cardboard, it has no way of tracking head or eye movement, and relies on the quality of the phone for its visual and audio performance. Phones lacking a gyroscope are not compatible with the VR applications and cannot be used.

The future for virtual reality use in the modern classroom is bright. But the full realization of its potential will rely on educators who need to develop expertise and practical experience with the technology. It will also rely on variables like adequate telecommunications and investment.

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Internet of Things

The internet of things refers to the interconnection of computers in order to send information from one device to another. Students are often given plenty of assignments that they have to work on. Most of the assignments are posted on the school’s portal, where each of the students can log in and check their specific information. Given the fact that students are not always in the school compound, the internet of things is making it easy for them to access their portal from any device or location. Therefore, this is a trend that ought to be incorporated in all learning institutions to provide students with the necessary flexibility that they require in order to progress in their studies. Imagine a world where a student could only access their information while at the school compound. Boring right? It could also result in time wastage and uncompleted assignments. In turn, this could affect the student’s career path. Hence, in order to ensure efficiency in the institution’s operations, the internet of things is the best trend to adopt. It will not only be helpful to the students but also to the staff.

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality

Virtual and augmented reality are other examples of new educational technology which allows an individual to incorporate real-world objects into a computer simulation. This is a perfect technology to implement in institutions because it allows learners to have a picture of the real world that they are unable to otherwise visit. The technology is best applied in technical subjects and sciences to enhance student understanding. 

Through this technology, learning institutions can cut costs that could be incurred in visiting certain sites for educational purposes. The trend allows computers to have a similar environment as that which the students could have visited. Most students understand concepts better by memorizing pictures. Therefore, through virtual reality, the real world can be brought closer to students reach, making it easy for them to pursue their preferred careers without having to spend much. 

The benefit of computer simulations is the manner in which they are able to blend digital world concepts with the perceptions that people have about the real world. It is a trend that will definitely benefit students since it is impossible to travel to all parts of the world.  

Increase in Security

Current technological devices have resulted in an increase in security when researching information on the internet. It’s a student’s responsibility to ensure that their educational information is protected. For instance, copying a hard copy assignment is fairly simple, but with new learning technologies, it is difficult for someone to copy a soft copy file that is password protected. 

In addition, access to public library information has been made more secure than in the past, all thanks to technological advancements. Students can even create portals which allow them to organize their research, making it easier for them to complete assignments. Experts from Customessayorder provide pre-written essays on the ways that students and teachers can take advantage of increased security to improve the learning process. It is high time institutions made good use of such security to ensure that students have all the necessary study resources on secure platforms.

Personalized Learning

Personalized learning refers to a customized learning process which meets the needs of each student. Learners have different levels of comprehension with some students easily understanding concepts that others fail to pick up as quickly. This makes it difficult for teachers because at the end of the learning process, they still have to set standardized exams, regardless of individual student learning speed. 

In addition, they have to use uniform teaching methods to teach the whole class. However, this is changing as the focus moves towards catering to each student’s needs. Institutions are now expected to adopt a personalized learning strategy to ensure that they meet the needs of each student. This technology trend in education is expected to nurture the talents of individual students, making their learning process more productive as compared to following a particular curriculum. It might seem to be a hectic learning style, but at the end of the day, it is worth using. Students are gifted differently and therefore, identifying the specific needs of each is a great way of guiding their career path.

Revolution in Exam Management

Current educational technologies require a revolution in exam management to ensure that students do not fall victim to exam management which has proven to have a negative effect on some learners. Institutions have different ways of setting and marking exams. For instance, some learning institutions prefer to rank their students, while others opt not to rank them according to their performance. 

Ranking could be viewed as a way of demoralizing students who find it difficult to improve their performance. Reforms in exam management would make it easier for learning institutions to identify exam methods that best work for their students. It is time for institutions to focus on following the educational technology trends that best serve the interests of their students. 

Students can now also take their exams online which is a great way of monitoring their learning progress. This is among the exam reforms that have occurred due to technological changes. Lecturers can monitor the learning activities of students through online portals.

In brief, technology is rapidly evolving, and therefore, it is the role of institutions to focus on adopting technologies that best work for students. They have to stay abreast of new and expected trends with the aim of nurturing student talents. 

The advancement in technology is unavoidable, and so is the need for learning institutions to make good use of such changes.

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Today, technology continues to develop, making it more accessible and affordable than ever for agencies of all sizes. One significant area of growth is in 360 degree video and virtual reality. It is literally changing the way homes are being purchased.

Although many use the terms interchangeably, there are some subtle, and not so subtle differences between what is referred to as 3D, 360 degree video and virtual reality. While 360 degree video gives viewers a full look at the space being featured, it doesn’ really provide any depth of field perception. On the other hand, 3D video and virtual reality provide a more immersive experience, allowing the viewer to not only look around but move through spaces and rooms. Any of the three are arguably far superior to the flat, 2D images that have been a mainstay in the industry.

Advantages of 360 Degree Video and Virtual Reality

Virtual reality and 360 degree video offer a number of advantages to both buyers and agents.

• Buyers Don’t Have to Travel to “See” a Property – This is a tremendous advantage for foreign and out-of-state investors and buyers. Instead of the time and expense of traveling, buyers can experience a walk-through from wherever they are located.
• Properties are Self-Screened by Prospects – With 360 degree videos, buyers have a much better opportunity to screen in and screen out properties. Rather than relying on two dimension images or videos, prospects get a much better sense of the “feel” of the property, including interior and exterior space and view. Drone technology can provide even more dramatic views of the space, especially for larger estates and high rises.
• Buyers Can View More Properties More Efficiently – The simple fact in showing a property takes significant time. With virtual reality, prospects can view more properties in more areas quicker and more efficiently. This allows agents to present properties in multiple locations without having to be concerned about driving distance.
• No Appointments Necessary – Now, agents can take the next step in “showing” a property without having to schedule an appointment and inconvenience the sellers. This is a win-win-win for buyers, sellers, and agents.
• Marketing Advantage for Brokers – Having the capability to show properties in virtual reality is a competitive advantage for brokers, especially for those who specialize in higher-end properties. In addition, brokers can brand their videos with additional information about the property, logos and contact information. It is also a superb opportunity to link to social media or to email to prospective clients who may have an interest.

The End of Open Houses?

Few are predicting the growth of virtual reality in real estate will bring an end to open houses. Open houses, after all, still provide an opportunity for agents to reach new prospects and for buyers to get a “feel” for a property in person. It may, however, increase the quality of those attending open houses in terms of their interest in a property. It may also reduce the frequency of open houses. It certainly will mean that those requesting an in-person tour of a property after viewing it in VR will have a deeper interest.

Changing the Transaction Process

When one considers how virtual reality may change the home buying process, it can help to be reminded it wasn’t that long ago some consumers couldn’t imagine buying clothing online without trying it on. It wasn’t too long ago there were skeptics who said no-one would ever buy an expensive diamond online without seeing it in person first. Today, consumers are buying cars online and having them delivered to their homes without a test drive. Ease, convenience, and efficiency are stronger than ever marketing forces and they are now playing a larger role in real estate.

This newer immersive technology will impact how people buy homes in multiple ways.

• It adds a new layer to the qualification process – Now, beyond just reading about a property, seeing images or even going on a drive-by, prospects can include or eliminate a property from their wish list based on this closer look.
• Its appeal will expand – While initially attractive for investors, higher-end properties and for those out of state who may not have time to arrange viewing a property in person, the appeal of virtual reality will expand to include more “standard” sales.
• Expectations will increase – While initially reserved for higher-end properties or as an option, virtual reality will become expected by both buyers and sellers. Those who put themselves in a position to provide it will be in the best position moving forward.

Some larger real estate firms are already purchasing equipment and in some cases, hiring specialized personnel to provide virtual reality and 360 degree videos for their buyers and sellers. Small organizations can hire outside contractors on a case-by-case basis. These changes, along with the ability to sign papers and “close” online may be leading us to a more streamlined real estate purchase process.

At first, these features were considered to be a fad by some in the industry. Now, the question is: How quickly will they advance, and what innovations or improvements remain to be seen?

The post How 360-degree Video and Virtual Reality are Changing the Way we Buy Homes appeared first on SiteProNews.

In 2019, virtual reality will continue to expand beyond entertainment, establishing its place in workplaces around the world. Here’s a closer look at the impact virtual reality will have in the workplace in 2019.

1. Meetings

Virtual reality provides a way for people to come together regardless of location. However, unlike video conferencing, virtual reality users feel as though they are meeting face-to-face and in the same physical space. 

This intimate connection could lead to more effective collaboration in the workplace, especially among remote teams. As more and more organizations embrace the concept of remote work in 2019, virtual reality could help make team meetings or brainstorms more collaborative, and ultimately, more productive. 

According to a Dell Future Workforce study, 67% of millennials believe it’s important to use virtual reality in meetings and product development. The modern workplace is changing, and employees are demanding more flexibility with their working hours, including more options to work remotely. With virtual reality, businesses will be able to bring remote employees or distributed teams closer together through immersive or mixed-reality experiences, possibly eliminating the need for meeting rooms and large offices in the near future. 

2. Hiring

Recruitment mistakes can result in wasted time and a decrease in productivity, so it’s vital that HR departments hire employees that are truly a good fit for their organizations. Acquiring top talent is a key challenge for any business and is a key area of the workplace where virtual reality can provide a lot of value. 

Using virtual reality applications during the interview process, HR managers can offer candidates a personalized way to experience the day-to-day responsibilities of a position. Not only are these simulations a great way for candidates to understand what the job entails, but they’re also the perfect channel for hiring managers to propose specific scenarios or challenges, and test candidates on how they would respond or solve the problem. 

By using virtual reality simulations, both sides of the table can get a better sense of what it would be like to work together and make better decisions.

3. Training

Statistics show that the demand for augmented and virtual reality in corporate training is skyrocketing and projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2023. 

From NASA to Walmart, companies around the world are incorporating virtual reality training sessions to reduce risks and minimize costs. With virtual reality, businesses can offer new hires fully-immersive, real-life scenarios where they can learn about the business and put their skills to the test without making any real mistakes. This is game-changing for professions that involve high-risk situations, such as positions in healthcare, construction, or the armed forces. However, it’s not just the highly technical or risky jobs for which virtual reality can be of use. For instance, Walmart uses virtual reality simulations to help train employees for Black Friday and the holiday crowds. 

Virtual reality offers businesses an exciting way to develop engaging and educational experiences for new employees. What’s more, studies show that when users are continually adapting and physically engaged in their environments, as they are in virtual reality, learning retention can be boosted up to 33%. The immersive environment is often more memorable and can be easily altered to suit a wide range of learning styles.

4. Testing

Digital prototyping is commonly used in the workplace to develop full-scale replicas of new concepts or product ideas. But with virtual reality, these prototypes can be experienced, instead of just viewed. Imagine if team members could step into a virtual world and view their concepts in full-scale, walking around them and examining them in detail. Products could also be put to the test in a virtual environment, with multiple team members present to evaluate the results and collaborate on improvements. 

Testing new ideas in virtual reality would allow businesses to spend fewer resources on prototyping and testing, and ultimately, develop better products faster and more efficiently. 

In Conclusion

In 2019, virtual reality is predicted to become much more accessible across a wide range of industries, offering businesses new ways to digitize their workplace. While there are still just a handful of highly-useful applications for virtual reality in the workplace, exciting new developments are already underway. In 2019, virtual reality will be game-changing for collaboration in the workplace, allowing teams to work together more intimately and effectively regardless of location.

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