AR and VR for Video Conferencing

With the pandemic's beginning, many people had no choice but to switch to remote work mode. Now, although the quarantine restrictions are gradually loosening, employees are reluctant to return to their offices.

In this case, video conferencing solutions became a handy and universal communication tool.

Online communication is evolving and presenting more innovative options. AR and VR video conferencing seem the most exciting. But what are the chances these technologies will overtake video communication, already familiar to everyone?

We dare to assume that they are already doing it. For example, the virtual reality market is developing at an incredible pace. If by the end of 2022 it will reach $6.7 billion, then in 2024, its size will almost double.

The augmented reality market is about in the same state. It will grow by almost 50% annually in the forecast period from 2021 to 2028. And in 2028, this market will reach $97.8 billion.

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Given the increasing investment in AR and VR, more and more applications for these technologies emerge. The typical use case includes video conferencing as well.

Today we’ll tell you how AR/VR meetings are changing the future of telecommunications.

For this, Softermii will share its own experience in creating the virtual event and video conferencing solutions. In particular, we’ll show how to implement these technologies using our products Events10x, Parta, and HIPAA Telmed as examples.

State of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Conferencing & Remote Offices

Are you still hesitating whether VR, AR, and video conferencing solutions are worth your investment? According to Forbes, 74% of workers expect remote work to become the new normal. Likewise, 76% of business owners state the same.

Many well-known corporations are already switching to remote work mode, relying on digital connectivity tools available on the market. Twitter and Slack are among such companies.

Forbes also indicates that 97% of employees who have tried working remotely do not want to return to the office. Professionals are more inclined to the hybrid working mode as it offers more flexibility.

As for virtual and augmented reality in video conferencing, consider the following. Such tech giants as Microsoft are launching tools for communication relying on these technologies. For example, the Microsoft Mesh application provides meeting spaces in AR and VR and the ability to work with 3D content.

VR conferencing is also successfully used for staff training. 20% of companies in the workforce development industry implement this technology in their processes. They do it to achieve the following benefits:

Given the people’s increased desire to work remotely and the AR and VR technologies markets’ growth, the use of these innovations in video conferencing software is a promising endeavor.

Benefits of Using AR and VR in Conferencing

AR and VR can completely transform our understanding of video conferencing in business communication. It is an entirely new experience for online meetings and events for business.

Take a look at the advantages of VR conferencing and augmented reality.

Extended Conferencing Capabilities

Instead of just turning on video calling in apps like Zoom, you can try something unique. For example, use VR video calls or AR video conferencing. Advantages of AR video conferencing include that you can change the background or add elements to your video like AR masks.

VR, in its turn, enables completely new experiences. Hold an avatar VR meeting in the Metaverse, or plan an expedition to the moon. With virtual reality, all this becomes possible.

Although these technologies require special devices such as headsets or smart glasses, they provide new sensations worth the effort. By the way, we recently wrote a tutorial on building metaverse applications. You can read more about this if you're interested.

Convenience

Conducting AR/VR video meetings are much easier than organizing a live one. These technologies make it especially easy to hold large-scale events, where you need to rent premises, take care of catering, and handle other organizational expenses.

Higher Retention

With the help of AR and VR conferencing solutions, you can create an event or meeting that will attract all the participants’ attention. Just imagine: you can conveniently illustrate the discussed information and offer participants an exciting virtual environment.

Flexibility

Using AR or VR in online video conferencing gives meeting participants increased flexibility. Anyone can easily join or leave a session without feeling socially uncomfortable or having to get back to their home.

No Social Awkwardness

In augmented or virtual reality, participants can take any look thanks to masks and avatars. It gives more freedom of expression and reduces social anxiety. Plus, all this time, the participants are in their comfortable homes.

Eco-friendliness

Holding meetings online is also an environmentally friendly initiative. Participants do not need to get to the venue, use disposable dishes, etc.

AR market will grow by almost 50% annually in the forecast period from 2021 to 2028. And in 2028, this market will reach $97.8 billion.

Some Kinds of Virtual Reality Meetings You Can Organize

Before you create a virtual reality remote meeting app, learn about the meeting types it can handle. Here are just some ideas:

VR Business Meetings

This type involves the creation of VR rooms for business meetings. A small number of participants, usually business executives, participate in such discussions. They interact using VR helmets.

VR Conferences

This type of meeting is mostly for employees. Each participant has an avatar, and the virtual environment resembles an ordinary office virtual conference room.. Such sessions simulate a business environment, allowing participants to feel like they are in the same workplace.

Remote Collaboration

This type of meeting involves discussing work tasks and working on them in a shared VR environment. An example of remote collaboration can be prototyping a digital product or producing a user interface.

VR Workplaces

These are not meetings but separate virtual rooms where employees can work individually. VR workplaces are especially relevant for employees with children who cannot always perform tasks according to a standard schedule and need a separate space to work without distractions.

Virtual Teleconference Rooms

This type of meeting is similar to VR conferences, but their purpose differs. Colleagues can meet here both for business negotiations and joint recreation. For example, they can discuss urgent topics or simply chat.

How AR and VR Change the Future of Teleconferencing

VR, and AR video meetings are still on the way to mass adoption. That is why many changes await us in the future. Here are our top predictions:

AR and VR Becoming More Widespread

So far, most people associate VR technology with the gaming industry. And AR, in turn, is currently at the peak of popularity in the healthcare and eCommerce fields.

Yet, with the growing demand for video conferencing using virtual reality, we will see more and more such software on the market. Additionally, an increasing number of businesses will produce VR-compatible equipment. The most prominent examples are Sony, with VR support in gaming consoles, and Apple, rumored to develop its own AR and VR headset.

20% of companies in the workforce development industry implement VR technology in their processes.

Improved Equipment and Its Increased Accessibility

The first virtual reality headsets were bulky and uncomfortable. They were expensive as well.

But now, tech companies are actively working to make convenient and affordable devices that are not far behind in quality from their expensive counterparts. For example, Oculus produces headsets for only $300. We’re also seeing the emergence of autonomous headsets with improved runtime and performance.

Also, feel free to learn more about the top 8 video conferencing trends in our recent article.

Softermii’s Experience with Video Conferencing Tools

Our company specializes in creating augmented reality and virtual reality conferencing platforms. We’ve made significant progress by developing our WebRTC-based video engine — VidRTC.

We also have the expertise to build a virtual reality meeting app or an AR conferencing solution. Check out some of our cases in the industry.

Events10x

Events10x is a VR meeting platform for conducting hybrid and online events. We made it available on any device, with many use cases: lectures, webinars, exhibitions, conferences, etc.

The platform’s main features are:

• Video and audio communication based on VidRTC
• Broadcasting
• Private VR video chat rooms
• Messaging
• Event scheduling

Our product can withstand heavy loads, particularly broadcasts for more than 15,000 people, video and audio calls, and messaging. And it all happens at the same time.

Parta

Parta is a mobile application that combines the best features from social networks such as Clubhouse, Tiktok, Instagram, Twitch, and Zoom. So, it is a versatile tool for social networking. The app’s main features are audio and video communication, broadcasts, an interactive news feed, and private meeting rooms.

HIPAA Telmed

HIPAA Telmed is a web application that makes communication between patients and doctors easier, faster, and more efficient. With this VR meeting platform, you no longer have to wait weeks for an appointment with a physician: all this and even more can be done online.

Our developers implemented AR/VR features like audio and video communication, document exchange, appointment management, eHealth records, and built-in payment gateways for our client. In addition, this platform is fully HIPAA compliant.

Final Thoughts

Since remote work is here to stay, AR or VR meetings app development is especially relevant. With such video conferencing solutions, you can directly influence the future of telecommunications.

If you want to drive the industry and introduce AR and VR conferencing innovations, Softermii has good news for you. Our company has extensive experience developing successful connectivity tools and can create the same for you. So don’t hesitate and contact our team!

Are you still hesitating about whether VR/AR and video conferencing solutions are worth your investment? According to Forbes, 74% of workers expect remote work to become the new normal.