Virtual reality as a productivity tool

As a developer, I am always looking for new tools to improve the efficiency of my work. That's why when I first heard about virtual reality (VR) as a productivity tool, I was immediately intrigued. I saw a post on Instagram that demonstrated Immersed – VR software that could be used for remote work and collaboration – and I knew that I had to explore this further.

VR headsets

After conducting some research, I decided to purchase my first headset, the Meta Quest 2, and a few months later the Pico 4. The latter has a slightly more sophisticated design with better weight balance and outstanding pancake lenses, making the experience even more immersive.

While these headsets are primarily built for gaming and entertainment, I found that they were perfect for my needs. The headsets’ immersive technology allowed me to focus on my work and tune out distractions from the environment. This level of concentration has proven invaluable when working on complex projects that require a great deal of focus and attention to detail.

Immersive applications and tools

There are many immersive applications currently in development, but Immersed stands out as the only one that offers compatibility with both Linux and Mac operating systems, which is crucial for my work. Additionally, it allows for much greater customization than other applications. I can have up to four different screen setups with screens tiled how I like and up to five screens at the time, each with various sizes and resolutions. Personally, I use only two setups – one with a hyper ultra-wide curved screen, and the other consisting of three flat screens arranged with two square screens on either side of a 16:10 screen.

Immersed offers a wide range of environments in which I can work. The passthrough mode is one of the most useful features, as it allows me to see my surroundings. This is particularly important in public spaces, where I need to be aware of everything that is happening around me. With this mode, I can grab a snack, take a drink, or wave back to people who are intrigued by the bulky funny-looking headset. However, the most immersive experience comes from selecting one of the many available environments. These include everything from a total void, through my own 3D photos, to space stations, productivity caves, spaces where the whole room is one big music visualizer, or a small cafe with piano music in the background.

For keyboard tracking there are several built in options – from tracked keyboards rendered in 3D to portals that allow me to have a view on the desk, the door, or my dog sleeping on the floor. While in virtual reality I’m also able to join traditional video calls, but instead of my face others can see my Meta or Ready Player Me avatar and all the surroundings and avatars of other people in the virtual camera field of view.

The benefits of using virtual reality at work

Public and private spaces – not only avoiding distractions

When first using this software I mostly worked in solo rooms, focusing on my tasks without any distractions. When there are other users in a private space, there is the possibility to share each other's screens for cooperation purposes, teaching, and presentations. However, as I got more comfortable with the platform, I started exploring public spaces. These public spaces have turned out to be an interesting change of pace, as I am now surrounded by people from various industries and backgrounds.

It's fascinating to see developers, writers, managers, recruiters, and others all working together in one virtual space from all over the world. Being able to have conversations with them and learn about their work has expanded my knowledge and helped me gain a fresh perspective on my own work. It’s actually funny how it makes me feel that I'm working in a place full of people, even if I'm sitting alone in my office.

Not only that, but there's already a thriving community of developers and enthusiasts driving updates and upgrades of the Immersed app with feature requests, bug reports, and general feedback. It's truly impressive how swiftly the app is being developed and improved upon, and I've never seen an app with such a dedicated and active community behind it. It's inspiring to see people from all over the world coming together to make the Immersed experience better for everyone.

Flexible hours without the commute

Like other developers working at Polcode, I have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to working hours and thus ultimately a better work-life balance. Thanks to that, I can work among people from other european countries and even join morning (or afternoon for me) focus pomodoro sessions with guys from the US.

Another significant advantage of using VR in the workplace is the time savings that it provides. As a programmer I often need to be in front of my computer for extended periods, and the time I save on commuting to the office can be put towards more productive and efficient work time. This has enabled me to complete projects more quickly and has given me more time to explore new tools and possibilities to improve my skills.

Work from anywhere

I'm quite a workation enthusiast, and have been avoiding the unpleasant Polish weather that starts in late fall and ends in spring by working from various sunny places all over the world for some time now. However, there was always a disadvantage of only having a small laptop screen (sometimes as small as 12 inches) or having to take a big additional screen as luggage, which was not always convenient. With VR, though, I can now bring my virtual workspace with me wherever I go, without the hassle of carrying extra hardware.

This allows me to be more productive and efficient, even when I'm traveling or working from a different location. In addition, I have also taken advantage of the ability to work in transit. I've been able to work in the car, on the train, and even on the plane thanks to the flexibility of my virtual workspace. Being able to work from anywhere has truly been a game changer for me, and has allowed me to make the most of my time and be more productive no matter where I am.

Take the office with you

My wife is thrilled that I no longer need a dedicated home office with multiple large displays and a web of tangled wires. With VR, all I need is my headset, keyboard, and mouse within range of my computer's Bluetooth connection and working on the same Wi-Fi 6 network as my headset. This eliminates the need for a cumbersome physical setup and allows me to work comfortably from anywhere in the house without disturbing anyone.

Furthermore, with the added benefit of customizable virtual screens, I am able to create a workspace that suits my needs and preferences without the constraints of a physical desk. I’m also able to work on two computers at the same time thanks to software like Synergy or simply switching the Bluetooth profile on my peripherals. It's a win-win situation for both of us. Although I am currently writing this text from my out-of-home office, which is equipped with three 27-inch physical displays, I find myself using the one ultra-wide virtual 100-inch display more frequently.

One of the challenges of using VR is that it can be uncomfortable to wear a headset for extended periods. Luckily the community has solutions to every disadvantage: countless mods, replacements, tips, and tricks that will make you forget about having anything on your head for the whole day. Although there are spacers available that allow me to wear glasses while using the headset, I personally found this uncomfortable and opted instead to switch to contact lenses.

Science-fiction experienced firsthand

Working in a virtual workspace like this often feels like a dream or a scene from a sci-fi movie. It's hard to believe that just a few years ago the idea of working in a virtual environment was purely science fiction. But now, thanks to advancements in technology and the hard work of many talented developers, I’m able to experience it firsthand. The ability to work from anywhere, surrounded by stunning visuals and interact with people from all over the world is truly remarkable.

It's amazing to see how far technology has come and how it's transforming the way we work and interact with each other. VR technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we work, particularly for those in computer programming and other tech-related fields. The ability to work remotely, save time, and maintain productivity levels while traveling makes VR technology an incredibly valuable tool in today's workplace. It's exciting to think about what the future holds for virtual reality and how it will continue to change our lives.