A few months ago, few people thought that we’d be living in a pandemic-stricken world for very long. As the virus continues to surge in the United States, however, we’re settling into the reality that this crisis will continue to loom large throughout 2020 and probably into 2021. Because of this, people are starting to get creative with how they work, play, and socialize while minimizing contact. Video chat has become a staple for team meetings and drinks with friends, and we’re all learning to live our lives virtually. That shift could mean big things for the VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) industries in the years to come. Right now, the market is crying out for more fulfilling virtual experiences. Will there be a boom in the demand and applications of VR and AR after COVID-19 as a result? Here are some of the possibilities.

Current State Of AR/VR Market

If you’ve been following the AR/VR market to any degree, it might seem like things have cooled off a little recently. A few years ago, VR gaming headsets, like the Oculus and the Vive, were all over the media, Pokémon Go was all the rage, and the promise of VR concerts and sporting events was on the horizon.

Today, these options are still available, but the industry has begun to pivot toward the enterprise customer^[1], not the average consumer looking for entertainment. At a high device price point and not too much in the way of content available for VR, the technology, though impressive, isn’t quite alluring enough to the average person.

With that said, enterprise uses are expanding for a few reasons. Companies can afford to purchase the equipment and VR can be used for applications like advanced training. VR is alive and well, but the industry’s priorities have shifted—for now.

Impact Of AR/VR Could Be Expansive

Enterprise AR and VR could become extremely valuable in a wide range of contexts. Many people have heard about VR being used in professional sports to train players without risking injury during practices, but there are many more potential uses in a wide variety of professional fields and industries. The impact of AR and VR could be expansive, improving safety and efficiency in workplaces all over the world.