IDG Connect, UK: European Head of Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work, Says Virtual Reality is Poised to Make its Way Into the Mainstream

“VR (virtual reality) isn't a new concept—it's been around for a while—but it looks like it could very soon be making its way into the mainstream in a fairly major way with companies such as Facebook and Microsoft investing serious money into the concept,” says Euan Davis about where VR stands in 2015. “A number of industries have already taken to VR devices and software, including the military and gaming sectors. Apart from the devices which already bring VR into our homes—with the new Facebook app, and the virtual reality headset from Oculus garnering a lot of attention—what will really drive mass adoption of VR is content.”

Commenting on where VR is heading, Davis says, “VR is set to make its way into industries such as travel and retail, to boost the customer experience and build brand loyalty. For example, there are impressive features already being developed for passengers of long-haul flights, which will see passengers using VR headsets to watch films and take virtual tours during flights. What’s more, Lexus also developed a virtual reality driving simulator at its headquarters in Japan to test safety features.”

He adds, “In today’s digital era, enterprises of all types and sizes must adapt to new technologies and customer expectations or risk falling behind their competitors—this means embracing new technologies such as VR to offer an interactive and immersive customer experience. While VR has a playful aspect, that does not preclude its use in business applications—far from it. The future of work will look much like play at present, with enhanced virtual interactivity to make work compelling for all types of users and applications. As long as companies continue to embrace digital technologies in a strategic manner, VR could become a reality sooner than expected in a variety of sectors.”