A third of humanity is in self-isolation. Billions are now at home with access to only the most basic services. In many parts of the world, people are only venturing outdoors to buy essential supplies. The remainder of their time is spent indoors.
People are social creatures who visit places such as malls not only to buy products but also to socialize. Being confined to their homes goes against peoples’ social instincts. Anxiety levels among the masses are rising. People feel like prisoners in their homes; they miss not being able to step outdoors. They miss not being able to talk to friends face to face and shopping for products in showrooms.
A Broader Behavioral Change
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down. Yet the virus has initiated perhaps the first stage of a good behavioral change. The lockdown in place today is unprecedented, yet its timing is fortuitous. Work in technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) allows people to shop, talk, and socialize using these immersive platforms.
These technologies are affordable and readily available. Though people cannot satiate their social instincts in person with them, they can fulfil them virtually. The COVID-19 pandemic likely has given rise to a new phenomenon wherein many more will become reliant on tools such as AR, VR, and MR to work and shop.
Socially Distant, Virtually Close
Even after the lockdown ends, the behavioral change it instigated will last considerably longer if not forever. People will remain socially distant but using technologies and extended reality they will be virtually close. These platforms and technologies will allow businesses run and grow irrespective of the challenges posed by social distancing.
More and more people will work on smartphones. Better Internet connectivity makes it possible for the masses to work online.
Time to Scale AR, VR, MR
The time is right to scale these technologies. AR, VR, and MR aren't science fiction; they are fully developed technologies that are as reliable as laptops and smartphones. The only thing missing for their widespread adoption was an impetus to meet and shop in virtual worlds. That impetus has come with the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown.