Two arrows connecting a house with a laptop and an office building

Immersive Technologies & Hybrid Work

XR technologies have the potential to create a positive and immersive experience for all employees. In hybrid workplaces, remote employees use XR tools to virtually work alongside colleagues who are in an office, allowing for seamless collaboration.

Many technologies that assist with training, virtual meetings and online events now incorporate immersive options in some form. An example of an immersive option is video conferencing software that lets meeting participants view each other sitting around a virtual table for team discussions. This technology gives participants the feeling of being in the same location because they are interacting with the same content in a virtual environment.

To fully support hybrid workplaces, XR technologies require a robust national infrastructure that delivers high-speed broadband access to employees wherever they live. The internet is a key connector between the physical and virtual spaces that more employees will inhabit in the future.

Examples of Immersive Technologies in Hybrid Work

woman with a virtual reality headset with her hand raised and a collage of digital imagery superimposed

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR tools can enhance meetings in hybrid workplaces. For example, employees who telework can wear a VR headset to attend meetings, have conversations and view shared content with coworkers. The immersive experience that VR creates can help these employees feel as though they are in an office.

Person using a tablet to view a virtual object in a factory

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR can enhance training and remote assistance in hybrid workplaces. For example, a repair technician working in a factory can use AR to view step-by-step instructions on top of real-world objects and environments. This can help technicians make complex repairs without requiring in-person assistance.

man with vr headset looking at projected images in a factory

Mixed Reality (MR)

MR can enhance employee collaboration in hybrid workplaces. For example, employees in different locations can use an MR meeting tool to collaborate and share digital content such as 3D objects, presentations and designs. This can make hybrid meetings more productive and feel similar to in-office meetings.

Continue to Section 3: Learn Why Accessibility & Inclusion Are Important