From Past to Future: A Brief History of VR and AR

Virtual Reality was born in the 1960s with Morton Heilig's Sensorama and evolved in the 1980s with Jaron Lanier, who coined the term "Virtual Reality." In the 1990s, the focus shifted to practical applications: simulations for military and industrial training.

Augmented Reality, on the other hand, developed in the 1990s thanks to Tom Caudell, who introduced the concept of "extended reality" to guide technicians in the assembly of aerospace components. Since then, AR has become increasingly integrated into work applications thanks to headsets like HoloLens (2016) and tools like TeamViewer Frontline.

In 2023, a Deloitte Insights study found that 56% of SMEs in Europe plan to adopt AR or VR in the next three years to innovate their training and production processes.

Immersive Corporate Training: New Opportunities for SMEs

Why should SMEs invest?

Traditionally, corporate training involves high costs for materials, travel, and downtime. VR and AR can dramatically reduce these costs by offering immersive and interactive environments that increase learning effectiveness.

According to a 2020 PwC study, VR training is:

• 4 times faster than traditional methods.

• 3.75 times more engaging.

• Capable of improving content retention by 40%

Applications in Corporate Training and Human Resources

1. Practical technical training:

   VR simulations allow employees to learn in safe environments. For example, a metalworking company can train new hires to use complex machinery without safety risks or production disruptions.

   
   

   • Example: Immersive Factory has developed VR platforms for workplace safety training, which have already been adopted by European SMEs.

     
     

2. Interactive onboarding:

   VR offers unique onboarding experiences, immersing new employees in company culture and internal processes.

   
   

   • Case in point: In 2021, Accenture distributed VR headsets to 60,000 employees to improve training and foster team cohesion among remote teams. Similar solutions are now accessible to SMBs thanks to platforms like AltSpaceVR.

   
   

3. Soft skills and leadership:

   VR can simulate complex scenarios, such as conflict management or public speaking.

   
   

   • Case study: In 2022, a retail SME used a VR platform to simulate negotiations with difficult customers, improving the interpersonal skills of its salespeople.

     
     

4. Continuous learning and retraining:

   AR technology, integrated with software like Vuforia, allows workers to learn directly on the job by viewing step-by-step instructions on machinery.

A Tasty Example: Training in Surgery

In the medical field, VR has allowed young surgeons to practice complex procedures in a virtual environment, without putting patients at risk.

• Example: In 2022, Johns Hopkins Hospital used VR to simulate brain surgeries, reducing errors by 30%.

While this approach is common in large institutions, platforms like Osso VR make surgical training accessible to smaller medical centers and local universities as well.

Collaboration and Innovation in Business Processes Virtual Collaboration for Distributed SMBs

VR allows remote teams to collaborate in shared virtual spaces. SMBs with branches in different cities can organize immersive workshops without relocating employees.

• Example: In 2023, an Italian design SME used Horizon Workrooms to create a virtual environment to collaborate with its overseas clients on complex projects.

Maintenance and technical support with AR

With AR, technicians can receive real-time visual instructions directly on the machinery, reducing intervention times.

• Case study: In 2021, a German SME that produces agricultural equipment integrated TeamViewer AR, reducing maintenance time by 40%.

The Benefits for SMEs

1. Reduced costs:

   
   

   Immersive training eliminates the need for physical materials, while AR-enabled maintenance optimizes resources.

2. Greater involvement:

   
   

   Immersive experiences improve employee motivation and accelerate learning.

3. Access to global markets:

   
   

   SMEs that adopt VR and AR can collaborate with international customers and partners in innovative ways.

4. Innovative image:

   
   

   Investing in these technologies positions the company as an industry leader, attractive to customers and talent.

Conclusion: A Virtual Future for SMEs

SMEs no longer need to consider VR and AR as inaccessible technologies. Thanks to more affordable and customizable solutions, these innovations are becoming key tools for improving training, safety, and business processes.

According to a Statista study (2023), the global VR and AR market will grow to $198 billion by 2027, opening up endless opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.