Remote working practices have undeniably reshaped the modern workplace, offering flexibility, better work-life balance and the ability to collaborate across teams without the constraints of geography.
In the early days of the pandemic, the shift to remote work was a significant change that many had to quickly adapt to. Over time, workers around the world became accustomed to the new way of working, discovering both its advantages and limitations.
Video conferencing and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and Slack have been central to making remote work possible. They have enabled teams to stay connected, productive and in-sync, regardless of physical location. However, is the current model becoming outdated? Have we reached a point where it’s time to take it to the next level? With 3D holographic solutions, we’ll soon be entering the second age of remote work.
Optimising the remote working experience
As remote work becomes more entrenched in our daily lives, the challenge now is to enhance the experience. Video calls, once a novelty, can now feel monotonous, lacking the depth and connection of in-person interactions. Visual quality can also be an issue. To optimise remote work, it’s time to make it more immersive and engaging, which is where 3D holographic solutions come into play.
3D holographic solutions have already made waves in industries like retail and entertainment, showcasing their potential to create lifelike and engaging experiences. Nike, for instance, used holographic technology at its House of Innovation in Paris to launch the Air Max Dn trainers, delivering an immersive and memorable customer experience.
Similarly, holograms have brought performances and speeches to life, such as the Current Greek Minister of Labour and Social Welfare live streaming to multiple cities in Greece to talk to young voters during the latest election.
These examples highlight how holographic solutions replicate the presence and depth of in-person interactions, which could transform the remote work experience. By incorporating live-streamed and lifelike holograms, organisations can create meetings and collaborations that feel as immersive as being in the same room. High resolution, vivid displays, and multi-angle viewing offer a richer, more interactive experience than traditional video calls can provide.
The promise of 3D holographic solutions
3D holographic solutions in remote working environments provide numerous benefits. They can greatly enhance collaboration, particularly on complex tasks that require detailed discussions and visualisations. Presenters can take centre stage when talking to a larger group of people to convey ideas, and where some remote workers may feel isolated or unable to speak up on traditional video conferencing calls, their holographic presence can empower them to contribute.
For employers, adopting holographic moves beyond a need to just keep up with the latest trends. It’s also a prominent demonstration of commitment to innovation and employee empowerment. The last few years have seen the ‘Quiet Quitting’ movement gather traction as more employees have questioned how committed their employers are to their development and wellbeing. This is encouraging more people to not go above and beyond their basic responsibilities.
Holographic solutions present an opportunity for employers to show their commitment and win back that trust. This approach gives current staff access to advanced tools that improve productivity and job satisfaction. Employees that feel supported by their employers are more likely to stay engaged and motivated, and investment in technology very much falls into that category.
Attracting Talent
Additionally, it’s an important step for companies that want to attract top talent. Professionals today, especially the digitally-native Gen Z, want to work for organisations that are forward-thinking and proactive in adopting new technologies, driven by seamless experiences with technology throughout their lives and an expectation that the technology they engage with at work should offer the same.
There will only be more staff with these expectations over the coming years as Gen Z employees now make up as much as 30% of the world’s population, and will account for 27% of the total workforce by 2025. For those on a recruitment drive, innovative uses of technology are therefore strong proof points to include in job descriptions and marketing materials to prospective employees.
Holographic implementations also don’t need to break the bank. There will likely be concerns among small and medium-sized enterprises when it comes to affording emerging solutions. But state-of-the-art 3D technologies are designed to be energy-efficient and consume less power, helping to save money for adopters and contribute to environmental commitments. If holographic deployments can also secure a remote or hybrid working future for businesses, then they also reduce their respective carbon footprints by eradicating the need for staff to travel to an office on a regular basis. Security is also built into the fabric of best-in-breed solutions, keeping sensitive company and employee data safe.
Staying connected and productive in new ways
Video conferencing and collaboration platforms have served organisations well in the first era of remote working, but the limitations of these tools are becoming increasingly apparent. We are about to enter the second age of remote work with lifelike holographic solutions that can offer more immersive and interactive experiences between staff, but also demonstrate a commitment to employee empowerment. This is pivotal to retaining current talent and becoming an attractive proposition to prospective new employees. Crucially, these solutions can be cost-effective for smaller businesses and help them meet their commitments towards sustainable practices.
Holographic technology is a step towards redefining how every remote employee works with others, regardless of physical distance. As industries explore the next evolution beyond video conferencing platforms, the integration of lifelike holograms could very well become the standard, taking remote work to new heights and ensuring that the future of work is as dynamic, engaging and effective as possible.
Kiryl is CEO and Co-Founder of HYPERVSN. During his PhD at the University of Oxford he studied Machine Learning for 3D Image Analysis.
The insights gained from this research helped him to understand how the human brain can be led to see 3D visuals floating in mid-air, without the need for any headgear.
This knowledge laid the foundations of what would become the HYPERVSN platform – an effective solution for brands to communicate with their customers using 3D holographic content.
