AR and VR could become mainstream in business operations in the next 3 years

82% of companies currently implementing AR/VR say the benefits are either meeting or exceeding their expectations, according to a new report from the Capgemini Research Institute.

The report, which surveyed more than 700 executives in the automotive, manufacturing and utilities sectors, with considerable knowledge of their organisation’s AR/VR initiatives, found that 50% of enterprises currently not implementing AR and VR will start exploring immersive technologies for their business operations within the next three years.

These include using AR to remotely access real-time help from experts on a wearable or handheld device, and VR to train employees.

Some 46% of companies believe the technology will become mainstream in their organisations within the next three years, while a further 38% think it will become mainstream in their organisations in the next three to five years.

However, the report also noted that a shortage of in-house expertise and insufficient back-end infrastructures are significant barriers to growth.

“Immersive technology has come a long way in a short time and will continue to evolve. Faced with stiff competition from aggressive investors in the US and China, businesses need to streamline investment to seize the long-term growth potential this technology offers,” said Lanny Cohen, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini.

“To drive the highest business value from AR and VR, companies need a centralised governance structure, proofs of concept that are aligned with business strategy, and to be able to drive innovation and employee change management.”

You can read Capgemini’s “Augmented and Virtual Reality in Operations: A guide for investment” in full here.