Unlocking Efficiency: How Mixed Reality Saves Time And Money

While the metaverse is often seen as an emerging trend, many of the underlying technologies that support it have been around for years. It is actually the use cases for these technologies that are novel and revolutionary. One such tool that businesses have seen great potential in is mixed reality (MR), which is a term used to describe the many technologies that blend the physical and digital worlds. 

"Basic examples of mixed reality can be seen on your mobile phone in the form of augmented reality (AR) games or even photo filters on apps like Snapchat that add virtual graphics to real photos," explains Greg Sugar, President of LineZero, a firm that specializes in helping businesses adopt new technology to improve organizational communication and grow employee experience. "These fun use cases are only scratching the surface of the power of this technology."

MR use cases for business

Indeed, business executives and owners are beginning to see the power of MR and its metaverse capabilities in a variety of applications that can help streamline their operations and improve efficiency. Sugar points to a few examples:

• Training and development: One of the most widely accepted use cases of MR technology in business is training and development. The underlying technology for these applications is not too dissimilar to that of AR gaming — they are hands-on activities conducted in a virtual environment but superimposed onto the real world.

• Product design: MR technology can be used in the design stages of products to help visualize the product being created. For example, MR tools can allow designers to brainstorm ideas, create prototypes in 3D, and more effectively share their design vision with their stakeholders.

• Immersive meetings: MR technology also powers immersive virtual meetings, where people experience enhanced presence, improved interaction, and few distractions through the use of realistic avatars and 3D landscapes that create a sense of physical presence. Meeting participants enjoy clear eye contact and simultaneous discussions to enhance collaboration and experience increased efficiency due to reduced travel and stronger connections with their colleagues. 

The benefits of MR technology

One of the main reasons why MR technology has become such a valuable tool is its potential to increase engagement and create connections regardless of geographic location. "For example, training and education are historically very passive processes," explains Sugar. "Methods like reading manuals, watching videos, and attending lectures often aren't the best way to engage individuals with the content. MR technology allows learners and trainees to experience something more hands-on, allowing them to engage more directly with what they are learning."

Companies that adopt MR technology can also expect substantial cost savings. Although MR technology requires a rather high upfront investment, the savings will be influential in the long term. 

"In the case of medical training, MR technology will give students and trainees the opportunity to practice and learn without the expense of costly supplies, such as cadavers," says Sugar. "When it comes to training sessions, MR technology reduces the expenses associated with conferences and in-person training by allowing these processes to be conducted from anywhere in the world."

This technology also has the immense potential to improve safety in the training process. "Taking medical training, for example, conducting training in MR significantly lowers the stakes compared to working with live patients," Sugar adds. "In other industries where employees have to put themselves in danger to complete the job, such as electrical work or heavy machinery operations, training using MR allows them to practice in a virtual environment and master skills before being exposed to any sort of risk."

One other major benefit of metaverse technology, including MR, is that it allows specialization and unprecedented levels of interactivity. "In many ways, the metaverse allows individuals to take more control over their own experience," explains Sugar. "By being hands-on with their experience, those using MR technology can connect with what they are doing on a much deeper level than they otherwise could."

Finally, MR technology has the potential to help people connect with one another more effectively, even if they are located in different areas of the world. "Two people from opposite sides of the globe can connect with one another in the metaverse," asserts Sugar, "which is particularly helpful for large companies with a presence in multiple countries or continents. Not only does metaverse technology allow these employees from different locations and backgrounds to connect, but it also ensures that they have as consistent of an experience as possible, as their experiences are less defined by local variables."

With these use cases, from training to virtual meetings, it becomes clear that MR technology and the metaverse are a powerful way for organizations to improve their operations. "We understand adopting any emerging technology is a leap of faith that requires some upfront investment," says Sugar, "which is why we recommend organizations start with a pilot program to test it out, learn from the experience, iterate, and expand from there. Innovative companies are actively trying out MR technology today as they understand this is worth their investment because it will save them both time and money in the long run."

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga’s opinions and has not been edited for content. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. Benzinga does not make any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company.