During a recent virtual roundtable at VRARA (VR AR Association) I shared my insights on the evolving role of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in enterprise environments. This session covered a wide range of topics, providing a comprehensive overview of how these technologies are shaping the future of business. I was joined by presenters from various industries – aerospace, energy, education, defense and more.

Session Highlights:

• The Evolution of VR/AR in Enterprise:
• VR and AR are poised for significant growth within enterprises, focusing on enhancing user engagement and operational efficiency.
• Impactful VR/AR Enterprise Projects:
• I discussed some particularly successful VR project aimed at training and development that improved performance metrics significantly.
• Open Source and VR/AR Innovation:
• Open source principles are critical in fostering innovation in VR/AR, allowing for collaborative advancements and shared successes – talked about the Open Metaverse Foundation.
• Scaling Open Source for Enterprises:
• Open source technology aids in scaling VR/AR solutions in enterprises by providing flexible and adaptable frameworks, and I shared my view on MRTK.
• Ensuring VR/AR Security and Privacy:
• Addressing security and privacy concerns is vital, with a focus on data protection and user confidentiality, and I talked about tethering, on premise computation and more.
• Emerging Trends in VR/AR:
• Peter is excited about the potential of mixed reality (MR) and the integration of AI with VR/AR to create more intuitive user interfaces.
• Spatial Computing:
• Spatial computing is transforming industries by enabling more interactive and spatially aware technological environments.
• Key Factors in Spatial Computing Deployment:
• Successful deployment hinges on robust infrastructure, user-friendly design, and clear value propositions.
• Example of an Enterprise VR/AR Strategy:
• A strategy involving immersive customer experiences was highlighted, showing significant increases in customer satisfaction and engagement.
• Measuring VR/AR Strategy Success:
• Success metrics include user adoption rates, ROI, and impact on productivity through the IEEE XAPI2.0 standard.
• Leadership Qualities for VR/AR Innovation:
• Innovation in VR/AR requires leaders who are visionary, adaptable, and collaborative.
• Immersive Technologies in Finance:
• VR and AR are playing increasingly crucial roles in training, simulations, and customer service in financial services.
• Contributions of Open-Source Communities to VR/AR:
• The collaborative nature of open-source communities accelerates innovation and development in the VR/AR space.
• Benefits and Challenges of Open-Source Platforms for Enterprise VR/AR Solutions:
• While offering customization and cost-efficiency, these platforms require robust support and security measures.
• A Successful Open-Source VR/AR Project:
• Peter shared case study of successful open-source projects that significantly enhanced collaborative development across multiple enterprises, like the ones we did at the https://fsi-hack4autism.github.io/ .

This fireside chat not only underscored the transformative potential of VR and AR in various business sectors but also highlighted the importance of community-driven innovation through open source frameworks. As enterprises continue to adopt these technologies, the insights provided by us will undoubtedly shape strategic approaches in the evolving digital landscape.