In today’s fast-paced digital world, remote work has become more than just a trend—it’s a necessity for many businesses. Traditional video conferencing tools have served us well, but as we dive deeper into the 21st century, a new player enters the arena to transform our remote collaboration experience: Virtual Reality (VR). Virtual reality meeting platforms are changing the way professionals connect, collaborate, and communicate across distances. Let’s delve into how these platforms are making virtual reality meetings an essential tool for businesses worldwide.

What Are Virtual Reality Meeting Platforms?

Virtual reality meeting platforms use VR technology to produce immersive meeting spaces where participants may engage as though they were in the same actual location. Virtual reality meetings provide a three-dimensional environment where participants may move, interact with virtual objects, and feel a sense of presence that is unmatched by regular video conferences. Principal features of virtual reality meeting platforms consist of:

• 3D Avatars: Participants are represented by customizable avatars, providing a personal touch.
• Interactive Environments: Users can manipulate objects, review 3D models, and even write on virtual whiteboards.
• Spatial Audio: Audio in VR meetings is directional and spatial, enhancing the feeling of being in the same room.
• Integration with Traditional Tools: Many virtual reality meeting platforms integrate with existing enterprise tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace.

Benefits of Using Virtual Reality Meeting Platforms

The adoption of virtual reality meeting platforms offers numerous benefits for businesses looking to innovate their communication and collaboration methods:

• Enhanced Engagement: The immersive nature of virtual reality meetings helps maintain participant engagement, reducing distractions common in traditional online meetings.
• Improved Collaboration: Virtual reality allows for more natural interactions, which can lead to more effective brainstorming and problem-solving.
• Scalability: Virtual reality platforms can accommodate small team meetings to large-scale conferences, all within customizable virtual environments.
• Accessibility: These platforms can be accessed from anywhere, making them perfect for global teams and remote workers.

Real-World Applications and Data

According to a study by PwC, companies using virtual reality technologies, including virtual reality meeting platforms, can expect a 23% increase in productivity. Furthermore, businesses have reported up to a 30% reduction in travel costs after shifting to virtual reality meetings for regular check-ins and stakeholder meetings.

How Do Virtual Reality Meetings Work?

Virtual reality (VR) meetings offer immersive experiences where participants interact in a simulated environment. To engage in such meetings, users require specific hardware, software, and access to VR meeting applications. Below is a detailed guide on how virtual reality meetings function and how to set them up effectively.

Hardware and Software Requirements

To partake in virtual reality meetings, individuals need the following:

• VR Headset: A device that tracks head movements and displays virtual environments in 3D. Examples include Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, or Valve Index.
• Compatible PC or Smartphone: Some VR headsets require a powerful PC to connect to, while others operate independently or connect to smartphones for processing.
• VR Meeting Application: Software platforms such as VRChat, AltspaceVR, or custom enterprise solutions facilitate virtual meetings by providing interactive environments and communication tools.

Entering a Virtual Meeting Room

Once equipped with the necessary hardware and software, participants can join virtual meetings by following these steps:

• Launch the VR Meeting Application: Open the chosen VR meeting application on the VR headset or the connected device.
• Select or Create a Room: Users can choose from existing virtual meeting spaces or create new ones, depending on the platform’s features.
• Enter the Meeting: Upon selecting a room, participants are transported into the virtual environment, where they appear as avatars representing their physical presence.
• Interact with Attendees: Within the virtual meeting room, users can see and communicate with other attendees’ avatars using voice chat or text communication.

Setting Up Your First Virtual Reality Meeting

To organize a successful virtual reality meeting, follow these steps:

• Choose a Platform: Evaluate and select a VR meeting platform that aligns with your requirements. Consider factors such as available features, user interface, and compatibility with your VR hardware.
• Hardware Requirements: Ensure that all participants have the necessary VR hardware and software installed before the meeting. Provide guidance or support to users who may need assistance setting up their devices.
• Scheduling: Utilize integrated scheduling tools within the VR meeting platform to set up meetings and invite participants. Ensure that meeting times accommodate participants’ time zones and availability.
• Customization: Customize the virtual meeting space to suit the meeting’s purpose and participants’ preferences. This may include adjusting the layout of the virtual environment, incorporating interactive elements, or branding the space with company logos or themes.

Choosing the Right Virtual Reality Meeting Platform

When selecting a virtual reality meeting platform, consider the following factors to ensure it meets your business needs:

• Compatibility: Check hardware and software requirements.
• Features: Look for essential features like integration capabilities, scalability, and user-friendliness.
• Security: Ensure the platform has robust security measures to protect sensitive business information.
• Support: Opt for platforms with reliable customer support for troubleshooting and assistance.

Conclusion

Virtual reality meeting platforms are paving the way for a new era of remote communication, offering immersive, efficient, and engaging ways to connect with colleagues and clients globally. As technology advances, these platforms will continue to evolve, further enhancing our ability to conduct business across virtual spaces. Whether integrating into existing digital strategies or exploring VR for the first time, businesses stand to gain significant benefits from adopting virtual reality meetings into their communication arsenals.

FAQ

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I’m not sure if the lag is better because of my machine or my connection, but there is definitely a noticeable difference between the two computers. I opened an intensive project in Blender and I was surprised at how much better it seemed to work. I can maneuver around comfortably. Using the headset is not perfect and I’m still much faster without it, but this makes me more excited for these tools to be developed. With the headset on, I feel much more in the zone.

I used Horizon Workrooms and Immersed app to try out remote desktop. Currently, I am writing this blog post on the Immersed app. Horizon Workrooms does not yet allow multiple virtual desktops, like Immersed does, so I’m leaning on using Immersed. Horizon Workrooms is a bit easier to set up. In the Immersed app, I can create multiple virtual desktops and move them around my space, which is really nice. I wish Workrooms gave you more controls like Immersed.

I plan to continue using the remote desktop features. I really like working in VR. I wish the experience was a bit smoother. A big issue with the Meta Quest Pro is that the headset fits on your head in a way that is prone to give me a headache. This seems like a common experience. Assuming I don’t get a headache, I wish I could use the headset for much longer. The battery life on Meta Quest Pro is very short.

I’ve had the Meta Quest Pro since launch and my review of the device is still the same. Ultimately, it is just an expensive Quest 2. I don’t believe its worth the price it is being sold at. I am glad I have it so I can test out these features, but it’s advocate for given its price.

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Rec Room

Unlike VRChat, Rec Room forces it’s content creators to create everything within the game. This mean world creators are using Rec Room’s in game tools to generate content. While you can make amazing worlds and games using these tools, it forces everything to have a similar look. In VRChat, you are free to upload content from anywhere, so the style varies a lot. Since Rec Room controls their creator tools, it means that most of their content is going to be running smoothly for players.

Because the content is more controlled on Rec Room, it generally means it is a safer environment for a younger audience. Basically all platforms are targeted for people thirteen and older. After playing Rec Room for a bit, it’ll be obvious that the average Rec Room user is on the younger side.

Rec Room is a fun platform. There are tons of games to play, cool worlds to explore, and it’s generally a very safe platform to run around on.

VRChat

Because of the freedom VRChat gives it’s content creators, going into the platform can feel like walking into the internet. You really don’t know what you’ll discover. People can create and upload anything they like. This is part of the magic of the platform. Of course there are terms of service for using the platform, so players breaking any rules can find themselves getting banned.

In VRChat, you can create an avatar to look however you want it to look. Hanging out with people in VRChat feels more like actually hanging out with people. Just like Rec Room, there are amazing worlds to explore and a ton of fun games to play. While the target audience is the same for Rec Room, you’ll end up finding an older age range of people in VRChat.

Which One Should You Play?

If you’re a parent who just got their kid a Quest, I’d recommend Rec Room. But ultimately, both platforms are great and they are both free! Download both and see which on you like more.

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I spent some time today brainstorming ideas for my next worlds and throughout that period I rarely thought about creating different home world experiences, even though that type of world has been on my ideas list for a while. I’m not someone who ever really cared about what world I load into. I normally leave the home world immediately. It’s not a space I plan to stay at. I don’t hear of many other people who have a home world they plan to stay in. Lots of people change their home worlds, but I can’t think of anyone who has a very specific hub style home world. It’s usually just a world someone likes. So what makes a good home world?

A good home world, to me, is a small environment, that’s comfortable to be in, and easy to load. You want your home world to be very small, in download size. Right when you open the game, you don’t want to be waiting long to load into the world. I want to get into the game, and then get to where I’m going. I’m specifically talking about my VRChat experience, because that’s the platform I’m on majority of the time. I would say this does also apply on other platforms, like Horizon and Rec Room. When I load into those games, I also, just want to get in and then get to where I’m going.

As of now, focusing on Home worlds is not something I plan to do. You could get really creative with it, but ultimately it is just the world you load into when you start the game. I guess it’s just not that interesting to me.

World Hop

I recently moved countries, and for a little while, I wasn’t able to use VR. Now that I’m settled in, I spent some time this past week world hoping. I’ve been enjoying large environment worlds lately. I wanted to share a creator who I enjoyed running around their worlds earlier this week. The creators name is Sumeru and my favorite world of theirs is A Fine Line. It’s a large winter environment. Not sure why I’m really enjoying large environment worlds. Another really talented creator who does large environments, is nprowler. I’ll probably go searching for these types of worlds next time I’m on. I think I may do more terrain and environment stuff in the near future.

I’m going to spend more time world hoping. Earlier, I saw a ton of really good worlds. I’m on a snow kick, I think, so I’m going to go visit more winter worlds.

The Black Cat Controversy

Also, Phia (Virtual Reality Show) did a video about The Black Cat. It’s really good! You should go watch it.

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Thinking of a regular VR user, what does this headset bring that the Quest 2 doesn’t have? It doesn’t seem like much. It’s all a bit more polished, but that seems to be it. If you enjoy watching movies and TV in VR, then maybe the lens upgrade is enough to justify the price, but so far it doesn’t have much going for it.

Working in VR

Meta advertised this headset as a major step to replacing your laptop. A headset that you can work in. This was my main motivation for purchasing it. Working in VR can sound dystopian, but it’s actually something I want. I want the VR private office space. I want 5 virtual monitors floating around me. I want full color passthrough. All of this was advertised with the Quest Pro and I want to experience it! That said, the Quest Pro only…. kind of delivered.

Horizon Workrooms

I first tried Meta’s Horizon Workrooms app. It’s pretty easy to get started and very self explanatory. I was able to remote into my laptop easily. There was a bit of lag with it, which made it difficult to use. Trying any intensive program, made it very difficult, which I guess could be expected. Even though I am in VR, I can’t add extra virtual monitors (on Windows) in Workroom and I can’t move around my virtual screen. The full passthrough feature was pretty cool though. I did enjoy that.

Immersed

I decided to try another “work in VR” app called Immersed. I had a much better experience in Immersed. While the performance of the remote desktop was the same, I can add virtual monitors and change my screen size and location, using Immersed tools.

Sitting in both Workrooms and Immersed, I enjoyed looking at VR monitors. I’m happy these tools are being built out.  I also enjoyed the full color passthrough. I plan to continue my quest to work in VR, easily. I think my next step is to try Oculus link and hook up the Quest Pro directly to my PC.

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Virtual Reality Can Help Combat Climate Change

One of the biggest contributors to global emissions that are making global temperatures rise are planes and automobiles. People commuting to work and traveling across the globe for business and pleasure alike are contributing unprecedented levels of emissions to the atmosphere. Virtual reality can help drastically cut the amount of travel by offering virtual experiences that are real enough to satisfy users. Whether it’s a virtual office space or conference room where colleagues can meet up from any distance in actual reality, or a virtual trip that gives travelers an inexpensive eco-friendly look at the world, virtual reality can cut down our need for travel, and cut emissions in the process.

Virtual Reality Can Improve Our Mental and Physical Health

The Covid-19 pandemic made the benefits of virtual reality even clearer. At a time when everyone needed to distance themselves, for community health and wellness, virtual reality stepped in to connect people. It made work and socialization possible from afar. Not only did this help people adhere to social distancing guidelines, stopping the spread of the virus, but it also helped boost mental health for people who were feeling lonely and isolated during this time.

In the future, virtual reality can continue offering these solutions to people in need. If physical or mental health issues force people into limiting contact with others, they don’t have to be alone. The virtual world provides a safe space to meet and interact with loved ones and new friends. As for physical health, VR gaming has already jumped into the fitness world, offering tons of games that make exercise fun and possible from the comfort of home. No gym or fancy fitness equipment needed! Just ask anyone who has played Beat Saber on hard mode; VR games can break a sweat.

Virtual Reality Can Help Us Learn

The field of education is especially interested in what virtual reality can do to help us learn. Many people say they learn best through experience and interaction with the material they’re trying to learn. In a classic classroom setting, this can be difficult for many subjects and topics. Virtual reality throws the doors open to a whole new realm of experiential learning. Whether it’s experiencing a Shakespearean play as if you’re standing in the Globe Theater, or traveling to the ocean depths to discover the details of a biome, virtual reality makes subjects that teachers are trying to introduce to students become real, relevant, and exciting. VR technology has also made its way into vocational training programs, allowing aspiring professionals to get hands-on experience.

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