Digital reality within government is transforming how governments use data, help raise employee performance, and more efficiently offer improved services.
This emerging technology, including augmented (AR) and virtual (VR) technologies, can enable workers to complete tasks faster and more accurately by providing them with the right information and data at the right time. For instance, improving maintenance tasks by making manuals or product locations immediately available in an employee’s field of vision.
AR/VR tech can also help with staff shortages or the challenge of distance by connecting resources with needs. Telepresence, for example, uses voice and video links to enable an expert to provide advice remotely. Immersive cloud-based programs can also seamlessly connect team members across functions. In a notable research program, a VR computer system helped veterans tackle post-traumatic stress disorder and enhanced their job interview skills.
Several other use cases illustrate how AR/VR tech is being used by the military, law enforcement, first responders, and other occupations. It’s improving the effectiveness of training and, especially for dangerous or rare tasks, making it less costly as well. Economic development teams could compare infrastructure plans by visualizing new roads, bridges, public transit, and their impact on traffic. Students and teachers can virtually access education and training anywhere. A health inspector can use data from previous visits in their AR glasses which makes code violations more evident as they simply look around the facility. Investigators and law enforcement can overlay data onto live screens for analysis by experts.
While barriers to adoption exist, successfully tapping into digital reality technologies can prove to increase productivity and efficiency.