With Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, Vive, PlayStation VR and the Google Cardboard VR headsets topping the Christmas lists of many of us in 2016, we’re exploring Virtual Reality ’s capabilities this January.

The development of Virtual Reality over the coming years is set to revolutionise every aspect of our lives, and one Cumbrian firm sees VR taking off in one interesting niche – office life.

According to the business technology experts at Gemini Group, Virtual Reality ’s immersive technology lends itself perfectly to the business meetings.

In scenes reminiscent of the boardroom shown in 2016’s The Apprentice, Gemini believe virtual business meetings could replace conference calls and face-to-face meetings in just a few short years.

The boardroom presented in VR in the BBC’s Apprentice competition 2016

With improvements being made to the technology (which remains somewhat in its infancy) on an almost daily basis, Gemini envisage offices could be utilising Virtual Business technology within two short years.

The business technology experts at Gemini have been looking to previous examples of tech innovations for clues to how Virtual Reality could take hold in offices.

Toby Clements of Gemini Communications states “When you look at how quickly and effectively VoIP services changed the face of conference call technology, it’s clear that Virtual Reality will feature in someway in the offices of the near future.

We may be a few years away from the hologram technology of the movies, but immersive VR tech exists in the here and now. It’s only a matter of time before its applications are utilised in the world of business.”

Early adopters of VR technology include global giants Google and Facebook who are investing millions in developing the technology further.

As the technology currently stands, businesses have already been utilising the technology for Virtual tours of offices/shops, creating immersive training videos and providing 360 views of products - but the ability to interact live is something which needs to first be developed.

Toby Clements and Gemini Communications believe that the board room could be the perfect environment for conducting Virtual Reality conference calls. “Offices across the world are already laid out with the power, internet connections and lighting needed to support the live streaming of VR content. The physical dimensions of the conference room and its rarely changing backdrop also lends themselves to the installation of 3D motion capture technologies. It’s such a credible possibility we’re willing to bet it’ll soon be a reality .”

What do you think? Would you welcome VR in your office? Or do you prefer face-to-face meetings?

Comment below and let us know your thoughts!

Head to http://gemini-group-uk.com/ for more information on how new technology can support businesses in 2017 and beyond.