Augmented Reality (AR) for Conferencing and Business Communication

Benefits of Using AR in Conferencing

Visualization

A quality picture is worth a thousand words, while а high-quality 3D model is worth a thousand pictures. With a 3D model, a speaker can demonstrate a product or object they’re speaking about from all angles and be more convincing. This technique can be used both for internal company meetings and meetings with potential clients.

The ability to test a product and interact with its 3D model enhances customer decision-making and provides an unforgettable experience. Moreover, a company can offer a personalized AR experience and show how a product helps to solve unique client challenges.

In addition, Augmented Reality video conferencing reduces travel costs for sales representatives or freight costs for transporting large products. Using AR, a client can see a 3D model in a full manufactured size at any location. A 3D model can also represent a scaled-down or enlarged product version, making it possible to explore an item in detail.

In the case of internal meetings, AR works the same way, allowing for comprehensive presentations, data visualization, prototyping, and product showcases. Even if other meeting members cannot interact with a real product, with AR a speaker can be sure that all attendees are on the same page.

Increased productivity

AR video conferencing apps provide many new capabilities for collaboration. For example, they enable brainstorming ideas and sharing and handling whiteboard ideas. Another option is to use virtual prototypes, reviewing and analyzing them, sharing the same models, to work together on issues, reduce chances of misunderstanding, and so on. Moreover, 49% of IT leaders believe the main advantage of AR for the workforce is the ability to access information in real-time, which improves work efficiency.

All of the above contribute to creating a comfortable space for collaboration and communication, resulting in more productive teamwork.

Better engagement

Thanks to AR masks, filters, virtual backgrounds, and other techniques that offer the ability to extend the real world, participants become more engaged and focused during meetings. AR elements also help to create a personalized video conferencing experience, to keep employee attention and increase their satisfaction.

In addition, the opportunity to interact with 3D objects immerses members in the meeting flow and reduces distractions from external stimuli.

Higher retention

Illustrated information, demonstrating materials in an engaging way, and frequent changes in the virtual elements boost the attention span of attendees, resulting in higher retention of information garnered in an AR video conference. AR helps participants better absorb information, immerse themselves in the discussion, understand tasks more easily, and be more productive during meetings.

Freedom of expression

AR meeting apps ensure freedom of social expression through AR masks and avatars. This is especially important when it comes to webinars or other large-scale conferences, where people are not acquainted with each other. By using some fictional avatars or masks instead of appearing as themselves, attendees can cope with social anxiety, freely participate in discussions and bring their ideas to the table.

This effect can be called “safety in public”: people can express themselves and their thoughts, but in the safety of their own homes.Thus, companies can establish an innovative corporate culture, strengthen their image as a modern brand, and increase employee satisfaction.

Another way AR video conferencing apps help make communication more comfortable is by creating 3D avatars that can join other meeting members in a specific physical room using AR glasses. This is useful for hybrid conferences and masks the physical absence of teammates. Speakers are able to make eye contact and feel more comfortable and focused during online communication.